GESTSOC Y36

Case Study # 4 Group Members: Bobadilla, Justine Nicole,

Group # 2 Go, Noel Eugene, Panganiban, Miguel Carlos

● How would you powerfully summarize the current scientific truth about climate
change today?
There has been a great deal of scientific research on climate change, and
several studies have helped us grasp the issue. According to the present
scientific agreement, human actions, notably the combustion of fossil fuels, are
quickly altering the Earth's climate (Ramanathan and Xu, 2010). As a result of
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide trapping heat
in the earth's atmosphere, temperatures are rising, and other climatic changes
are occurring (Zhou et al., 2018). The vast majority of climate experts agree that
the scientific reality of climate change is clear-cut. An unprecedented rate of
climate change is being brought on by human-induced greenhouse gas
emissions, which have a wide variety of negative effects on ecosystems, human
health, and the economy. A mix of scientific, technical, and societal techniques is
needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the effects of climate
change in order to solve this grave catastrophe. Moreover, youth activity and
advocacy are essential for igniting public support and political will for climate
action (Zummo et al. 2020). In addition, climate change is a serious issue that
has to be addressed right away in order to prevent the worst effects of global
warming on the environment, human health, and socioeconomic systems
(Swanson, 2018; Stern, 2015).

There are many different effects of climate change, and they have a big
influence on the environment, human health, and the global economy.
Heatwaves, droughts, and other extreme weather events have become more
common and severe as a result of rising temperatures, which can result in crop
loss, wildfires, and infrastructure damage (Cai et al., 2018; Schleussner et al.,
2016). Moreover, social and economic inequality is made worse by climate
change, especially for vulnerable communities (Gelman et al., 2018).

There is a growing consensus among scientists that we need to cut

greenhouse gas emissions and switch to renewable energy sources in order to
lessen the worst effects of climate change (Solomon et al., 2009; Edenhofer et
al., 2014). To achieve this, large and ongoing efforts must be made to decrease
the use of fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency, and alter land-use patterns. In
order to lessen the effects of and reduce the severity of climate change for future
generations, immediate action is needed. Additionally, Stern (2015) said that the
best strategy to lessen the effects of climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and switch to renewable energy sources. Governments, corporations,
and individuals must work together to create sustainable policies and practices
that lower greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the effects of climate change as
part of this strategy. Geoengineering, on the other hand, entails purposeful and
extensive manipulations in the Earth's processes to mitigate global warming, and
some researchers have suggested this as a viable solution to climate change
(Swanson, 2018). While there are substantial dangers and uncertainties involved
with such operations, geoengineering may have potential advantages, such as
countering the impacts of greenhouse gases and lowering the probability of
extreme weather events (Swanson, 2018).

● Synthesize the link between global politics and climate change.

Climate change and global politics are closely related. The rate and
severity of climate change are significantly influenced by the activities taken by
countries and international organizations, and the repercussions of climate
change have far-reaching effects on international politics, including national
security, economic growth, and social stability.

The need to minimize greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most

urgent international political challenges associated with climate change.
Governments and international organizations have the authority to establish
goals and carry out emission-reduction measures including carbon taxes,
cap-and-trade programs, and subsidies for renewable energy sources. However,
given the many interests and goals of various nations and stakeholders, it can be
challenging to develop international collaboration and coordination, which is
necessary for these efforts to be successful. Global security is significantly
impacted by climate change as well. Extreme weather, shifting precipitation
patterns, and rising temperatures can cause population relocation, food and
water shortages, and conflict over scarce resources. Additionally, the
consequences of climate change, particularly in areas that are already prone to
conflict or economic hardship, can intensify previously existing political tensions
and contribute to political instability. Global politics can also impact the rate and
severity of climate change. For instance, trade policies and economic incentives
may encourage the growth of sectors that produce significant amounts of
greenhouse emissions, but diplomatic efforts may result in global accords and
coordinated action to combat climate change.
 In conclusion, there are numerous intricate connections between
international politics and climate change. Global collaboration and collective
action are necessary to combat climate change, which calls for traversing tricky
political terrain and juggling competing interests.

● What best arguments / insights can you borrow / utilize from the readings of
Swanson (2018, any chapter), Stern (2015, any chapter) and Zummo et al.
(2020) in prompting the Filipino youth to act on climate change today?

Climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action,

especially from the youth who will inherit the planet in the coming years. Based
on the readings of Swanson (2018), Stern (2015), and Zummo et al. (2020),
there are three (3) main arguments or insights that can motivate Filipino youth to
take action on climate change today.

The first key argument that Swanson (2018) makes is that the effects of
climate change are not restricted to the environment but also have substantial
social and economic consequences. Climate change has an impact on food
security, water availability, and human health, all of which can disproportionately
affect vulnerable communities such as those in the Philippines. Stern (2015) also
underlines the economic penalty of climate change inaction, which can
considerably outweigh the cost of action. Disasters, lost productivity, and health
impacts can cost trillions of dollars globally, making it critical for youth to take
climate action today to minimize future expenses. Zummo et al. (2020)
emphasize the importance of the situation, suggesting that climate change is not
a problem that can be solved by future generations. According to the paper, the
effects of climate change are already being seen, with extreme weather events
becoming more common and severe. As a result, the youth bear a responsibility
to take action and mitigate the consequences of climate change in order to
prevent irreversible damage to the earth.

The second insight provided by the readings is the role of individual action
in tackling climate change. Swanson (2018) contends that adopting sustainable
activities such as decreasing energy use, taking public transportation, and eating
a plant-based diet can make a big effect. These activities can also motivate
others to follow suit, resulting in a chain reaction that can lead to widespread
change. Stern (2015) emphasizes the importance of human choices as well,
suggesting that the cumulative impact of many little actions can have a big
impact on lowering emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Finally, Zummo et al. (2020) stated the importance of collective action,

with communities and institutions coming together to address climate change.
The report highlights the need for collaboration between governments, NGOs,
and the private sector, to create policy frameworks and initiatives that can drive
the transition to a sustainable future.
 In conclusion, Swanson (2018), Stern (2015), and Zummo et al. (2020)
give various convincing arguments and insights that can drive Filipino youth to
act on climate change today. The urgency of the problem, the economic cost of
inaction, and the role of individual and communal action all emphasize the
importance of taking quick action. Filipino youth can help establish a sustainable
future by taking action now, ensuring that the earth is conserved for future
generations.

References:
Cai, W., Wang, G., & Santoso, A. (2018). The extreme El Niño of 2015-2016 and the
end of global warming hiatus. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society,
99(1), S31-S36. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-17-0103.1
Edenhofer, O., Pichs-Madruga, R., Sokona, Y., Farahani, E., Kadner, S., Seyboth, K.,
Adler, A., Baum, I., Brunner, S., Eickemeier, P., Kriemann, B., Savolainen, J.,
Schlömer, S., Stechow, C. v., & Zwickel, T. (2014). Climate Change 2014:
Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Cambridge University Press.
Gelman, A., Park, D. K., Shor, B., Bafumi, J., and Cortina, J. (2018). Rich state, poor
state, red state, blue state: What's the matter with Connecticut? Quarterly Journal
of Political Science, 13(3), 285-330. https://doi.org/10.1561/100.00013178
Ramanathan, V., & Xu, Y. (2010). The Copenhagen Accord for limiting global warming:
Criteria, constraints, and available avenues. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences, 107(18), 8055-8062.
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1002293107
Schleussner, C.-F., Lissner, T. K., Fischer, E. M., Wohland, J., Perrette, M., Golly, A.,
Rogelj, J., Childers, K., Schewe, J., Frieler, K., Mengel, M., Hare, W., and
Schaeffer, M.: Differential climate impacts for policy-relevant limits to global
warming: the case of 1.5 °C and 2 °C, Earth Syst. Dynam., 7, 327–351,
https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-7-327-2016, 2016.
Swanson, J. (2018). Geoengineering Earth's climate: resetting the thermostat.
Minneapolis, Twenty-First Century Books.
Stern, N. (2015). Why Are We Waiting?: The Logic, Urgency, and Promise of Tackling
Climate Change. MIT Press
Zhang, L., Xu, M., Chen, H., Li, Y., & Chen, S. (2022, February 16). Globalization,
Green Economy and Environmental Challenges: State of the Art Review for
Practical Implications. Frontiers. Retrieved from
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.870271/full#:~:text=It%20i
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Zummo L., Gargroetzi G. & Garcia A. (2020): Youth voice on climate change: using
factor analysis to understand the intersection of science, politics, and emotion,
Environmental Education Research, DOI: 10.1080/13504622.2020.1771288