New Student Book Experience: HOT- all about climate change
The forecast for the next 50 years on earth: Hot & Dangerous
The book recounts the author's many years of journalism and expert interviews on the topic, and also includes his story about reacting to the climate crisis from the perspective as a concerned new father envisioning what his daughter will be going through.
I found the tales of suffering and destruction due to climate change around the world to be heartbreaking, particularly for those living off the land in traditional communities. Those in the world who are able to take advantage of the technology and comforts of modern society still have to deal with the increasing storms and rising sea level and must reconsider our development strategies to take this into account.
It's also made clear in the book we must take action now. The story is told of how the current state of understanding about the issues and their urgency have been purposefully muddled, and the consequences.
Attached is a fact sheet for those interested, with information about UMBC's commitment to climate change, ways to get involved, and some quotes/definitions pulled from the book as well as a calendar of events.
To participate in one of the welcome week discussions about the book today at 3pm, check out the website:
From the attached document:
"There is a
terrible injustice at the heart of the climate problem: climate change punishes
the world's poor first and worst, even though they did almost nothing to bring
it on. After all, they cannot afford to drive gasoline vehicles, fly in
airplanes, eat much meat, or inhabit the climate-controlled buildings that are
the principal contributors to global warming. "Eighty percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the
richest 20 percent of the world's people," said Saleemul Huq. "The poorest 20 percent of the world's
people are responsible for less than 1 percent of emissions. But because of
their lack of resources, they will probably account for 90 percent of the
deaths those emissions cause. This means that climate change is no longer just
an environmental or energy or economic problem. It is also a justice
problem." -"
- HOT: LIVING THROUGH THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS ON EARTH by Mark Hertsaard
CLIMATE CHAOS refers to the reality that, with global warming, there will be greater variability in the globe’s weather, with more droughts and more floods; extremes of both heat and cold; more powerful storms, etc.
(mitigation) – actions that are taken to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. These involve such things as moving away from the use of fossil fuels to generate power and drive internal combustion engines.
GENERATION HOT refers to the two billion young people worldwide who will spend the rest of their lives coping with mounting climate disruption.
(adaptation)– actions taken to reduce our vulnerability to the consequences of climate change.
CONNECT:
Visit http://sustainability.umbc.edu to learn more about the campus wide efforts to achieve a positive environmental impact! The sustainability website compiles our accomplishments, groups to join, and resources across campus to foster progress.
Join the myUMBC group, Facebook Page and Twitter: ‘UMBC Sustainability’
Email UMBC’s Sustainability Coordinator, Tanvi Gadhia at sustainability@umbc.edu
