Final project for Turn Down The Heat Coursera MOOC
--This artifact is aimed at participants of this MOOC so we can reflect on our knowledge on environmental issues and what we have learned on this MOOC. This makes use of quotes which are actually some important points to ponder which can be our jumping-off point. We need to remember that the fight against a 4°C warmer world should not stop as this MOOC ends, but this is just the beginning. I hope that we all share and apply what we got from this online course to the real world. God bless! :)
2. http://www.quotesdonkey.com/170-environment-quotes/
It is disheartening but this has become a fact. And this is caused by
US. Water pollution on many parts of the world destroyed or endanger
ecosystems and biodiversity. We add the changes in temperature, ocean
acidification and sea level rise. Meanwhile, air pollution brings risks to
human health and the greenhouse gases WE have continuously put on the
air are now enhancing the greenhouse effect which brings global warming.
What have WE done to the vital elements that we can’t live without?
3. From “Projected Extreme Temperatures, ”
Video talks Week 2
• This is one of the most striking statements from the MOOC that
makes it easy for everyone to understand the 4°C problem.
• This is a fact, a horrifying fact that we, present-day people may
not face, but our kids, grandchildren, and future generations
will face if WE proceed with the business-as-usual scenario.
4. Strongest typhoon ever to
make landfall in recorded
history
Why a phenomenon?
Phenomenon –
“something that can be observed and
studied and that typically is unusual
or difficult to understand or explain
fully” (Merriam Webster)
It is exceptional, not
something we experience
usually
http://weather.com.ph/announcements/super-typhoon-haiyanyolanda-update-number-012
THE SUPER TYPHOON HAIYAN
PHENOMENON
5. THE WARNING
“Typhoons such as Yolanda (Haiyan) and its
impacts represent a sobering reminder to the
international community that we cannot afford
to procrastinate on climate action.”
(Yeb Sano, Philippines Representative to the U.N.
Summit on Climate Change)
WE NEED to act NOW. People should get the hint that
this is a serious problem that does not have a single action as a
solution. It involves effort and time. And as Climate Champions or
Policy Makers, WE can initiate and encourage those who are
apathetic to the reality WE are facing.
6. It is highly encouraged that we visit this page to see the aftermath of
Haiyan in Tacloban City, one of the most devastated areas in the
Philippines: http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/typhoon-haiyan-photos-before-after/
“The risk of loss of wealth because of
tropical cyclone disasters appears to be
increasing faster than wealth.”
(UNISDR 2011 as cited in Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C World Must Be Avoided World Bank,
2012, Chapter 3, p.27)
The Philippines is located at the Pacific typhoon belt, making it
vulnerable to tropical cyclones. As we learned from this
MOOC, high-intensity tropical cyclones can become more
common as the earth warms. Being a third-world country, it
will be very hard for the Philippines to cope with such
conditions. But remember that this is not a case possible only
for the Philippines, but to anywhere else that can be affected
by natural disasters, be it a super typhoon or anything else.
7. IT IS GLOBAL
“Only early,
cooperative,
international
actions can
make that
happen.”
(Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C World Must Be
Avoided World Bank, 2012, Chapter 7, p.64)
This is a global problem
that needs a global
solution. This is
everybody’s problem and
everybody should take
part in the solution.
8. THE TAKEN-FOR-GRANTED REALITY
Look on the photo and reflect
for a while.
OUR Earth is going towards a
4°C warmer world; it is
burning, it is sick.
OUR Earth is in OUR hands.
As we let it burn and get
worse, we also in turn burn
ourselves, hurt ourselves.
http://boolger.blogspot.com/2011/03/our-earth-wasdangerously-ill.html#.UwXO_fmSyT8
But remember, it is in OUR hands because WE
have the choice to either let it burn and in turn
hurt us or WE make an action to heal OUR earth.
9. WE need to act NOW.
Grab every chance.
Let US ALL turn down the
heat!
Background photo from http://www.climate.unc.edu/ClimateActionProgram
