The Importance of Understanding Climate Change
Oct 12
2 min read
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The term “Climate Change” has been one of the most controversial political terms in recent history. It has been an issue affecting international diplomacy, national elections, and hometown school board races. Today, it is one of the most divisive topics at every level of political engagement.
For many people, climate change is an abstract idea that they struggle to understand on a practical level. When people don't understand this topic, it is far too easy to accuse the other side of “hating polar bears” or “hugging trees.” It is likely that neither of these stereotypes exists in the world as we imagine them, yet we hurl these ridiculous insults anyway.
We can all do better and contribute to the climate change conversation more meaningfully. Especially for those who have been educated in the scientific disciplines, it is important to explain not just the “what,” but the “how.” If we don't share the “how,” the “what” is harder to understand and less likely to be taken seriously.
People don't just need to know that polar bears struggle without sea ice. People need to know polar bears need sea ice in order to hunt seals, and that with less ice in the Arctic, orcas are now feeding on the seals that were previously hunted almost exclusively by polar bears.
Unless this broader understanding of the challenges polar bears face is communicated, people are left to accept or deny the proposition that polar bears are struggling without context and further evidence. Without understanding, all we have is knowledge. And if all we have is knowledge, all we have is an opinion.
With so much information at our fingertips in today’s day and age, we can’t afford to simply have an opinion. We have to develop a thoughtful perspective to engage with the public in a meaningful way. The issue of climate change isn’t going away anytime soon, and neither should the conversation.
Further Reading:
https://polarbearsinternational.org/news-media/articles/math-in-polar-bear-science
