Climate 2.0

"IT'S GLOBAL WARMING, STUPID!"

As quoted by Bloomberg Business Week. So the question is, how is social media impacting the climate? At first it is easy to think that the two are in no way related. But they are in two ways, first by creating barriers, and second by offering solutions.

First things first! What is happening with the climate, and why is it changing? Through science they have proven that everyday activities of humans is clearly causing environmental changes. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) stated that the following two reasons are the cause:  the burning of fossil fuels, and deforestation. Burning fossil fuels starts with the extraction of coal and petroleum from the earth. When extracted it releases carbon dioxide, causing extra heat which stays in the atmosphere causing the "greenhouse effect". Deforestation is the removing of trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air, but because of the decline in trees the carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere.

EDF also stated that not only is the climate changing, but so are the business and political climates. This is where we can all step up and do something. We all have the opportunity to recycle. We need to be proactive and understand that we can do our part. It is simple to recycle. Washington County has a recycling program called WCSW Recycling Program. There are drop off locations all over Washington County. They accept paper, glass, metal, cardboard, and plastic. The cost of this service is included in trash removal fees that are collected by the cities. 100% of the proceeds get placed back into the community for various enhancement projects. Another suggestion is to buy local produce. By buying local produce it is fresher, safer, and typically has fewer chemicals and pesticides. But a major reason to buy local is the reduction of fuel needed for transportation. St. George city has a Farmers Market in Downtown Ancestor Square. This is an excellent place to support local businesses, while helping to protect the environment.

This is where social media comes into play. Social media is a platform where the public can make their voices be heard. It is a place where we can take a stand. We need to let our leaders (the leaders we elected) know our concerns. Social media gives us a voice concerning many political issues, especially climate change. The use of social media can create somewhat of a barrier when it comes to issues such as climate change. We are constantly seeing the effects global warming is having on us and our communities. Yet, there are few suggestions or solutions being offered. In Our World, an article by Brendan Barrett, Debate: How can Social Media Save the Planet?, indicates that social media and climate change is being influenced by how we receive information and share news.

So, can social media play a role in the future regarding climate change? I think, YES! I think that social media can influence the public to get involved. Awareness is definitely key to getting people involved. By helping everyone understand how they are impacting the climate and offering solutions to slow down the problem, we can hopefully make a difference.