NOTES: RELATING MY RESEARCH TO THE OUTCOME POINTS...
5.3 describes and accounts for cultural similarities and differences within and between societies. 5.8 analyses significant contemporary issues and events and evaluates them from a variety of cultural perspectives
The melting of ice and rising sea levels are affecting many countries around the globe in both similar and different ways. A similarity of all of the affected nations is that they are all low-lying, coastal areas. A handful of countries affected by the melting of ice, both directly and indirectly, are Gambia (Banjul), the Maldives, Greenland, the Arctic and specifically Kiribati. Each country is experiencing a range of intensities and effects of melting ice and rising sea levels. Weight-wise, approximately 97% of earth's life lives in the ocean and interestingly, 99% of all earth's living space is in the ocean. Rising sea-levels also cause coastal erosion. As many major cities are built on the coast, most with populations exceeding millions, this presents an immediate danger to these cities and threatens their thriving industries.
Gambia is regarded as one of the most rising-sea-level-threatened countries in Africa. As sea levels rise by one metre, Banjul risks losing at least 60% of its mangrove forests as well as settlements and more than 30% of it's total natural areas. The low-lying coastal nation risks losing it's rice industry and consequent residents. Rising sea-levels will also have a profound effect on eco-systems among the mangroves and on higher land. These significant effects will prove a major destabilisation in both Gambia's human and natural environment, consequently threatening it's existence as a nation if no plans are taken into action.
Many houses in the Maldives have been built extremely close to the beach and consequently are already being destroyed by the ocean and its rising levels. Coastal erosion remains a significant problem in the lives of the Maldivians to this day. Protecing their houses from violent weather has also become a major part of their lives. This island of 200 people can barely afford to defend their houses and the overall island from the rising seas. Unfortunately, this island can only afford short term solutions such as building sand walls a few metres out to sea. But as this is only temporary, the island must make a decision on what to do, and fast.
An interesting effect of climate change and melting ice are the two poles, with similar weather conditions, that are experiencing the exact opposite effects caused by climate change. Climate change is reported to be causing westerly winds that sweep across most of Antarctica from the Southern Ocean, "protecting" it from the effects of global warming. The only area of Antarctica that is severely effected is the Antarctic peninsula which is not shielded by the winds from the impacts of climate change. The Arctic, however, is doing exactly the opposite; it is melting at unprecedented rates. Consequently, it is contributing to rising sea levels and essentially affecting others countries. The Arctic and the Antarctic are home to a very unique ecosystem of plants, animals and humans (Arctic only). Within the next century, Arctic ice mass is expected to decline by 20% and temperature to increase by 7 degrees.
The 113 000-person nation of Kiribati is negotiating with Fiji to purchase land, specifically Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island, and relocate there. The rising seas have already destroyed and continue to destroy many small villages on the coast. This is likely the first instance where climate change has triggered a whole country-migration. Not only is the nation's physical existence being threatened, but the existence of their culture is also threatened. It has been questioned whether their delicate culture will survive if they move. University professor James J. McCarthy said Kiribati is "like the canary in the coal mine in terms of the dramatic impact of climate change on a whole civilisation of people... they didn't cause the problem but are among the first to feel it." Fiji, however, has its doubts about allowing the country to relocate to Fijian soil. Kiribati's president, Anote Tong, stated that he does not want the entire population of Kiribati moving over the Fiji in one go. He also stated that Kiribatians must have something to offer Fiji by way of skills (e.g. doctors) and not just be second-class citizens. The nation is already facing many problems. Rising sea levels means rising tides. This means that the salinity of the sand is increasing and degrading their fresh water supplies. Rising salinity also affects the access to arable land and ability to grow crops. Their economy is at risk of depleting and it is also having harmful effects on public health.
Gambia is regarded as one of the most rising-sea-level-threatened countries in Africa. As sea levels rise by one metre, Banjul risks losing at least 60% of its mangrove forests as well as settlements and more than 30% of it's total natural areas. The low-lying coastal nation risks losing it's rice industry and consequent residents. Rising sea-levels will also have a profound effect on eco-systems among the mangroves and on higher land. These significant effects will prove a major destabilisation in both Gambia's human and natural environment, consequently threatening it's existence as a nation if no plans are taken into action.
Many houses in the Maldives have been built extremely close to the beach and consequently are already being destroyed by the ocean and its rising levels. Coastal erosion remains a significant problem in the lives of the Maldivians to this day. Protecing their houses from violent weather has also become a major part of their lives. This island of 200 people can barely afford to defend their houses and the overall island from the rising seas. Unfortunately, this island can only afford short term solutions such as building sand walls a few metres out to sea. But as this is only temporary, the island must make a decision on what to do, and fast.
An interesting effect of climate change and melting ice are the two poles, with similar weather conditions, that are experiencing the exact opposite effects caused by climate change. Climate change is reported to be causing westerly winds that sweep across most of Antarctica from the Southern Ocean, "protecting" it from the effects of global warming. The only area of Antarctica that is severely effected is the Antarctic peninsula which is not shielded by the winds from the impacts of climate change. The Arctic, however, is doing exactly the opposite; it is melting at unprecedented rates. Consequently, it is contributing to rising sea levels and essentially affecting others countries. The Arctic and the Antarctic are home to a very unique ecosystem of plants, animals and humans (Arctic only). Within the next century, Arctic ice mass is expected to decline by 20% and temperature to increase by 7 degrees.
The 113 000-person nation of Kiribati is negotiating with Fiji to purchase land, specifically Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island, and relocate there. The rising seas have already destroyed and continue to destroy many small villages on the coast. This is likely the first instance where climate change has triggered a whole country-migration. Not only is the nation's physical existence being threatened, but the existence of their culture is also threatened. It has been questioned whether their delicate culture will survive if they move. University professor James J. McCarthy said Kiribati is "like the canary in the coal mine in terms of the dramatic impact of climate change on a whole civilisation of people... they didn't cause the problem but are among the first to feel it." Fiji, however, has its doubts about allowing the country to relocate to Fijian soil. Kiribati's president, Anote Tong, stated that he does not want the entire population of Kiribati moving over the Fiji in one go. He also stated that Kiribatians must have something to offer Fiji by way of skills (e.g. doctors) and not just be second-class citizens. The nation is already facing many problems. Rising sea levels means rising tides. This means that the salinity of the sand is increasing and degrading their fresh water supplies. Rising salinity also affects the access to arable land and ability to grow crops. Their economy is at risk of depleting and it is also having harmful effects on public health.
5.5 applies cultural relativism to interpret cultural practices. 5.6 identifies factors that influence cultural change or continuity
The small pacific island nation of Kiribati is extremely threatened by the melting of ice and rising sea levels. The low-lying nation faces a serious threat of losing its entire land mass due to rising sea levels. There is not one point on the island that lies more than 4 metres above sea level. It is possibly the first nation to experience the real effects of rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The 113 000-person nation is negotiating with Fiji to purchase land, specifically Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island, and relocate there. The rising seas have already destroyed and continue to destroy many small villages on the coast. This is likely the first instance where climate change has triggered a whole country-migration. Not only is the nation's physical existence being threatened, but the existence of their culture is also threatened. It has been questioned whether their delicate culture will survive if they move. University professor James J. McCarthy said Kiribati is "like the canary in the coal mine in terms of the dramatic impact of climate change on a whole civilisation of people... they didn't cause the problem but are among the first to feel it."
Fiji, however, has its doubts about allowing the country to relocate to Fijian soil. Kiribati's president, Anote Tong, stated
that he does not want the entire population of Kiribati moving over the Fiji in one go. He also stated that Kiribatians must have something to offer Fiji by way of skills (e.g. doctors) and not just be second-class citizens.
The nation is already facing many problems. Rising sea levels means rising tides. This means that the salinity of the sand is increasing and degrading their fresh water supplies. Rising salinity also affects the access to arable land and ability to grow crops. Their economy is at risk of depleting and it is also having harmful effects on public health.
The 113 000-person nation is negotiating with Fiji to purchase land, specifically Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island, and relocate there. The rising seas have already destroyed and continue to destroy many small villages on the coast. This is likely the first instance where climate change has triggered a whole country-migration. Not only is the nation's physical existence being threatened, but the existence of their culture is also threatened. It has been questioned whether their delicate culture will survive if they move. University professor James J. McCarthy said Kiribati is "like the canary in the coal mine in terms of the dramatic impact of climate change on a whole civilisation of people... they didn't cause the problem but are among the first to feel it."
Fiji, however, has its doubts about allowing the country to relocate to Fijian soil. Kiribati's president, Anote Tong, stated
that he does not want the entire population of Kiribati moving over the Fiji in one go. He also stated that Kiribatians must have something to offer Fiji by way of skills (e.g. doctors) and not just be second-class citizens.
The nation is already facing many problems. Rising sea levels means rising tides. This means that the salinity of the sand is increasing and degrading their fresh water supplies. Rising salinity also affects the access to arable land and ability to grow crops. Their economy is at risk of depleting and it is also having harmful effects on public health.
5.7 recognises the increasing interdependence and interconnectedness of cultures in the contemporary world
A controversial point is that lower-lying nations are the most threatened by climate change but it is in fact the more-developed, larger countries are the ones who are the main causers of climate change. It is as if the larger countries are creating work that the smaller countries have to clean up. This controversial point demonstrates how every single country in the world is interconnected and interdependent. No matter how much you try, it is impossible for your life not to affect other countries in some way or another whether large or small.
As for preventing, or at least reducing the effects of climate change on rising sea levels, every single nation on earth must contribute, based on the population and CO2 emissions of that country.
From 8th July to 12th July 2012, satelites recorded immensely fast rates in the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. This unprecedented event has been the largest melting ever occured. Even its highest point 3200 metres above sea level
had melted. Almost all of the Greenland ice sheet experienced some form of melting. It is too early to confirm that this dramatic event was a rare occurance in nature or whether it was caused by climate change. Only time will tell whether this was a major wake up call for people around the world to reduce carbon emissions. However, many scientists are leaning towards the idea that it is a result of climate change, since the recent breaking of a large ice-berg off the Petermann Glacier. The melting of the Greenland ice sheet demonstrates how climate change acts as a hideous cycle. Humans over-emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the air, and the heating up of the atmosphere melts ice (in this case the Greenland ice sheet) which flows into the oceans and in turn affects humans (with rising sea levels) who then must emit more CO2 into the atmosphere to prevent it. The process repeats over and over.
As for preventing, or at least reducing the effects of climate change on rising sea levels, every single nation on earth must contribute, based on the population and CO2 emissions of that country.
From 8th July to 12th July 2012, satelites recorded immensely fast rates in the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. This unprecedented event has been the largest melting ever occured. Even its highest point 3200 metres above sea level
had melted. Almost all of the Greenland ice sheet experienced some form of melting. It is too early to confirm that this dramatic event was a rare occurance in nature or whether it was caused by climate change. Only time will tell whether this was a major wake up call for people around the world to reduce carbon emissions. However, many scientists are leaning towards the idea that it is a result of climate change, since the recent breaking of a large ice-berg off the Petermann Glacier. The melting of the Greenland ice sheet demonstrates how climate change acts as a hideous cycle. Humans over-emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the air, and the heating up of the atmosphere melts ice (in this case the Greenland ice sheet) which flows into the oceans and in turn affects humans (with rising sea levels) who then must emit more CO2 into the atmosphere to prevent it. The process repeats over and over.