Lezlee Amor R.

Escalante
EH 402
Natural Resources and Environmental Law
October 20, 2014
Mr. Cornelio Guantero
Climate Change is Not Purely Environmental
The temperature of the earth is changing. Weather patterns have changed and natural calamities have
brought greater disaster to communities 1. This is the newest trend... and this is a recurring threat to the
survival of the human race. This is Climate Change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have listed some of the regional impacts of global
change. In Asia alone, it has been projected that freshwater availability shall decrease in Central, South,
East and Southeast Asia by 2050. On top of this is an increased risk of flooding in coastal areas and a
higher mortality as a consequence of water-borne and drought associated diseases.2
As a consequence, government leaders all over the world together with international organizations and
environmental advocates put forth a parcel of their resources in order to find ways in resolving this
problem. This is evidenced by the different conventions 3 being conducted throughout the years with the
aim of looking into the issue and seeking solutions to find a stop or at least mitigate climate change. Also,
through these conventions, humanity made a great leap in humbly admitting the participation of the
human species in the aggravation of climate change.
But solving the problem of our environment is more complicated than we thought. The interplay of every
system that operates within each country as well as each countrys stand over climate change plays an
important role in our collective efforts. Together with this is the need to assess whether our measures in
combating climate change have been helpful or more incremental not just to Mother Earth but to every
individual.

A varied outlook
However, despite all the efforts that most have exerted in order to combat climate change, not everyone
is convinced that climate change is real. Despite all the years spent in order to comprehend this
phenomenon, there are still those that refuse to acknowledge its existence. Some are still in denial of
mans participation in climate change. Many still refuse to accept that we made this problem and we need
to take full responsibility over it. A concrete example would be the Americans where in a conducted

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/threats-impacts/index.htm
The threats and impacts of climate change based on the Nature Conservancy are (1) of the Earths species shall be extinct in 2050, (2) higher
temperatures, (3) changing landscapes, (4) wildlife being at risk (5) rising seas, (6) increased risk of drought, fire and floods (7) stronger storm
resulting to greater damage (8) increase in heat-related illness and disease, and (9) economic losses.
2
http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
North America: Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains; 5-20 percent increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions;
increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves in cities that currently experience them
Latin America: Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazonia; risk of significant biodiversity loss through species
extinction in many tropical areas; significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation.
Europe: Increased risk of inland flash floods; more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion from storms and sea level rise; glacial
retreat in mountainous areas; reduced snow cover and winter tourism; extensive species losses; reductions of crop productivity in southern
Europe
Africa: By 2020, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress; yields from rain-fed agriculture
could be reduced by up to 50 percent in some regions by 2020; agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised.
Asia: Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central, South, East and Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk due to
increased flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods and droughts expected to rise in some regions.
3
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/items/6031.php

survey last November 2013, 23% dont believe in climate change 7% higher than last April 2013s
survey. 4
And what does this mean?
When we neglect the existence of climate change, we refuse to believe that something is wrong. When
we refuse to believe that something is wrong, we continue doing those that we do unconscious of
whether they are good or bad to the environment. When we continue doing our bad ways, our activities
continue to contribute to the abnormalities of the changing climate. We think that nothing is wrong
unaware that we are denying everyone the right to live. We think that everything is okay.

Climate Change is a human right issue

Indeed, Climate change is a human right issue. I concur with Climate Change and Human Rights: An
Introduction to Legal Issues, that the problem on climate change is not solely environmental but also a
human right issue. Climate Change is transboundary. We are all affected by it. And unfortunately, those
who produce more of the gasses that aggravate climate change have more resiliency and resources to
adapt to the changing climate - leaving the third world countries more vulnerable.
Based on the list5 made by the World Bank on the top twelve (12) countries that are most vulnerable to
the five threats of Climate Change drought, flood, storm, increase in sea level and agriculture four of
the worlds poorest nations top the list. In a separate survey conducted by Standard and Poors ranking,
the Philippines, a third-world country, is 7th in the ten (10) countries most vulnerable to climate change 6.
And what does this imply? The poorer countries have higher risks when it comes to climate change
because they dont have the means and the capacity to adapt and/or counter climate change. The sad
thing is that they are not even the main producers of the gasses that destroy our ozone layer yet they
are the ones who have to suffer the most. Whereas those who contribute the most to climate change
the rich countries have higher percentage of surviving the threats of climate change because they have
the resources.
Isnt that unfair?
***
We all have a right to live in a liveable Earth. And we are all challenged to think not only for ourselves but
for everyone. We deserve a world conducive for living. This is a right that applies not only to you and
your family but to every individual regardless of race and status. Progress is not bad. But as we grow
intellectually, our hearts have become poor. Pollution which is a product of our own hands has become
one of the major culprits why our earth is slowly dying. We are continuously developing, but our
unstoppable progress has hindered our responsibility of becoming stewards of the earth. We have to
accept our responsibility because nothing will happen unless we learn to accept that we are at fault.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2540926/The-rise-climate-change-denier-New-figures-23-Americans-not-believe-globalwarming-happening.html
http://www.livescience.com/42633-climate-change-disbelief-rises.html
5
6

http://www.irinnews.org/report/85179/global-twelve-countries-on-climate-change-hit-list
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3031376/these-are-the-countries-most-vulnerable-to-climate-change#1