Climate Change: A Climbing Catastrophe
Global warming is, as the name implies, global. Here in Wisconsin, the state has seen record-breaking heat, rainfall, and snowfall levels higher than ever recorded in the state within the last five years. In addition, the heat aided in the spread of ragweed pollution across each county. Yet, many choose to neglect the rising issue that it is, claiming it is natural, can be adapted to, or flat out does not exist. However, the approach of ignoring the issue until it goes away has not been an effective solution, and adaption is impossible when the heat is dangerous and crop-killing. Climate change caused by carbon dioxide increases has resulted in temperature increases, both droughts and wild storms, and melting ice caps. Around the world, these effects are felt with varying intensity from Asia to North America, and organizations have formed to spread awareness of this often-ignored phenomenon.
Madan Poudel, a Nepalese agriculture activist, was given a chance through the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) to share the story of climate change in his small hometown of Syangja. There, the effects of climate change are changing lives and are most heavily felt by the farmers and agriculture of the area. The small village has to deal with a varied and unstable climate, progressively deterring the farmers of the crop-reliant town from doing their key job. Poudel explains the infrequency of rain during most seasons, except in the summer, where harsh and swift storms lead to ruined plants. In addition, floods and landslides become more common due to the sloped nature of the area’s hills combined with the new, extreme storms. Heat-reliant crops grow and ripen too early or too late, ruining farming schedules. Local residents have been forced to adapt to new crops, costing money and time. With the effectiveness of farming, the village’s main revenue source, dwindling, many residents have begun to leave in favor of larger, dirtier cities that push high CO2 levels even higher. Adaptation to the threat of global warming works -- in the short term. To prevent the eventual failure of farming-based towns, a solution needs to be put in place, and fast, or more of the world will begin to walk the path of destruction that towns like Madan Poudel’s hometown of Syangja have begun to tread on.
Climate change affects all residents of Earth, from Nepal to the United States. As such, its effects can be seen here in Wisconsin. Currently, the Wisconsin Environmental (WE) state group, a branch of Environment America, is working to preserve and improve our state’s environment and helps spread awareness about how climate change affects our local area. Environment America was originally part of the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG) to focus on state-based environmental protection while PIRG focused on social justice. WE’s goal, in particular, is to prevent as much damage to wildlife and nature around Wisconsin by using petitions and communications with key reporters and news services to spread their members’ voices. WE also goes door-to-door and meets Wisconsin citizens in public places to help raise awareness and funds, as more than 90% of their funding is outsourced from local residents. On WE’s website, they offer one-time and monthly giving programs as well as e-mail updates and newsletters for those interested in helping their cause through their number one fund source.
Global warming and climate change are just becoming a prominent issue, and yet are still causing issues the globe over. Groups have realized that ignorance is not the solution and are spreading awareness to help stop this problem before it becomes too serious to deal with. Acting now could save countless amounts of effort, time, money, and potentially save lives from floods, droughts, and heat waves. Global warming is global, after all, and acting soon is the first step to preventing disasters worldwide.
Works Cited
"About Wisconsin Environment." About Wisconsin Environment. Environment America, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
"Climate Change and Your Health." Climate Change Threatens Health: Wisconsin. National Resources Defense Council, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Poudel, Madan. "Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Story from My Nepalese Village." Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Story from My Nepalese Village. Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, 09 June 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.