Blog Post 4: Patrick Parker

Climate change is, and has, been a big topic of discussion and debate over recent years and years past. We have long known that human activity, including our use of fossil fuels and growing population, puts a strain on the environment and on the natural resources we are so dependent on. In the past few years it has become glaringly apparent that our planet is changing and not for the better. The change in global climate is something that everyone on Earth has a hand in. As everyone has a hand in these changes happening to the planet, everyone must also have a hand in fixing them. People worldwide must all do something to help combat climate change. However, these changes will look very different worldwide. Countries and companies that produce large amounts of pollution must have a different role to play then a small, self-sustaining farmer in a small, less industrially developed country. A large part of our climate problem comes from large, industrially developed nations and the companies that reside and produce in them. The large factories of China, for example, have caused an extremely noticeable change in the air quality of the urban cities around the country. Simply cutting back production a small amount will have massive effects on air quality and pollution in the area. The question of how much to cut back production and limit industrial growth is one of the main problems when discussing what should be done presently. Many large industrial countries voice concern when they are told they must cut pollution by X% when a smaller country is only asked to cut pollution by a smaller portion. These concerns can lead to countries ignoring a deal on reducing climate change. This is a big problem, as a global consensus must be reached to make significant progress in combating climate change. Some countries however, are making significant strides in combating climate change, and paving the way for others to follow. Morocco is one of the world leaders in reducing pollution. By 2030, Morocco aims to generate 52% of all energy by renewable sources. They have also focused on preserving their aquifers, which provide a clean and natural source of fresh water. Another country that is leading the way in natural resource use and conservation is Sweden. Sweden has led the way globally with their recycling programs and use of clean energy. These two countries have been atop the globe in their push for clean energy and combating climate change.

Image result for morocco climate change — Morocco’s renewable energy sources

One of the largest environmental problems facing Ukraine at the moment is the aftermath from Chernobyl. Almost thirty-three years after the meltdown, Ukraine still faces many problems from the meltdown. Northern Ukraine is still uninhabitable and much of the farmland is still unusable. Groundwater contamination is still an ongoing problem that stems from the reactor meltdown. As Ukraine is fairly economically developed it does not face the same problems as other countries that struggle to get clean water. Chernobyl still provides the largest environmental challenge to Ukraine today.

Ukraine has several of it’s own environmental groups working in the country. The National Ecological Center of Ukraine does much work inside the country with it’s own citizens. The non-profit recruits people for common actions to protect the environment. By recruiting people who care about the environment, the organization is able to help these people find ways to have an impact on preserving the environment. The Ukraine Nature Conservation Society is another organization that works to spread awareness and cause environmental change. The group was originally founded by the government and predated the EPA in the United States and other similar organizations across Europe. The importance these two groups play in the helping to preserve, educate about, and change the environment in Ukraine is very important to the country and world’s future.