Environmental Anthropology Climate Activism Essay Example

resource depletion are major economic, financial, and social concerns that need attention worldwide. It is widely acknowledged that measures must be taken to mitigate the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions (Steer 10).

There is widespread belief that global oil production is approaching its peak, which could negatively impact the energy supply of the global economy. Many reliable sources also suggest that an energy crisis would have a significant impact on the worldwide economy. Climate change and resource depletion are expected to greatly affect the business environment, changing how energy is controlled, its cost, and availability. It is crucial to include sociology in discussions about climate change as it emphasizes the importance of political and economic factors at both international and national levels when studying climate change.

The study of political economy in relation to global climate change focuses on both the factors that contribute to it and the potential ways to mitigate its effects. It acknowledges that climate change is not solely a physical phenomenon, but also a concern for scientists, politicians, and society as a whole (Nagel, Thomas, and Jeffery 13). Additionally, cultural challenges are significant when discussing climate change. Despite their minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, indigenous populations worldwide face threats and risks to their survival. These communities play a crucial role in the ecosystems of their lands and regions and can aid in enhancing resilience against climate change. Furthermore, they possess extensive knowledge and innovative approaches towards addressing its impacts. They utilize traditional skills and technologies to discover solutions that can benefit society as a whole in adapting to forthcoming changes.

Indigenous communities in Central, South American, and Caribbean regions are relocating their

agricultural activities and settlements to less vulnerable sites due to adverse climate conditions. Specifically in Guyana, these communities are transitioning from savannah settlements to forest areas during famines. They have also begun cultivating cassava on wet floodplains that are typically unsuitable for other crops. These actions highlight the strong dependence on and close connection with the environment and its resources that these indigenous individuals possess. As a result, they are among the first to directly experience the consequences of climate change.

In addition, climate change worsens existing challenges faced by vulnerable indigenous people such as political and economic marginalization, land confiscation, human rights violations, prejudice, and unemployment (www.un.org np).

Climate change has a notable influence on indigenous communities and their cultures in different areas. In the Amazon, for example, climate change causes deforestation and forest degradation. This worsens the emission of carbon into the atmosphere, resulting in additional changes and adverse consequences. During the 2005 drought in the western region of the Amazon, fires erupted as rainforests were transformed into savannas. These incidents deeply affect indigenous peoples' livelihoods and social interactions in that region. It is crucial to overcome obstacles that impede ambitious efforts towards combating climate change in order to effectively address these challenges.

Global leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali in December 2007 stressed the importance of addressing climate change using various approaches, including mitigation, adjustment, new technology, and financing.

To effectively enhance and preserve the ability of indigenous populations to adapt, it is essential to incorporate additional policies such as disaster preparation, land-use planning, environmental protection, and national strategies for sustainable development.

However, inadequate financial resources and technological capabilities hinder many indigenous people

from adapting to new environments. Despite ongoing temporary adaptation efforts, limitations in resources and capacity prevent the implementation of long-term strategies.

Certain mitigation measures may have negative impacts on indigenous populations, both directly and indirectly. For instance, while some agricultural initiatives can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they may also lead to the cultivation of monoculture crops and plantations, resulting in decreased biodiversity and food security. To safeguard these vulnerable communities and their cultural heritage, it is imperative to involve them fully in government-led mitigation activities.

Moreover, evidence suggests that it is possible to separate environmental harm from economic growth by addressing environmentally destructive behaviors. This can be accomplished through actions such as decarbonizing production processes, promoting resource efficiency, adopting sustainable farming practices, and implementing smart urban infrastructures without excessive costs. Traditional models indicate that these measures would likely cause a moderate decline in overall economic growth.

Contrary to previous worries regarding the influence of technological progress on economic growth, a recent study indicates that it may actually have a beneficial impact. To foster sustainability, two simultaneous transitions are necessary. Firstly, it is crucial to tackle concerns such as climate change and transition towards an economy with reduced carbon emissions in order to detach environmental harm from economic expansion. Secondly, there is a need to enhance resource efficiency and recycling throughout the production process. Accomplishing these objectives would represent significant strides in addressing climate change.

Works Cited

• Steer, Andrew. "Resource Depletion, Climate Change, and Economic Growth1." Towards a Better Global Economy: Policy Implications for Citizens Worldwide in the 21st Century (2014): 381.
• Nagel, Joane, Thomas

Dietz, and Jeffery Broadbent. "Workshop on Sociological Perspectives on Global Climate Change." National Science Foundation (2008). www.un.org “Climate change and indigenous peoples”. 2007.