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Climate Change | April 26

Changing Climate

By A. Rachelle Foss

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Sustainability, conservation, and climate change are demanding, yet complex focuses—with no one precise solution. Each intricately interlaced within greater aspects of every society—as well as the global community. To affect change, it is essential to consider these complexities. From changing political parties to the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, government and its environmental policies have a palpable effect on the views and actions of a population regarding conservation, sustainability, and climate change. However, the social aspect of environmentalism is affected by far more than just our governments’ policies. Our connection to the Earth is reflected in our values and subsequently how we perceive precious resources. This assumes our capacity to live sustainably as a society, both exclusively and universally.

Our choices about sustainability, conservation, and climate change—be they personal, cultural, or directed through policy—no longer affect only those within a closed society. As we move away from individualized groups and move increasingly towards a global community, our choices and actions have a greater impact worldwide. This means that the most significant commodity that drives one economy may be detrimental to another, seemingly unconnected, region, species, or ecosystem, which highlights an increase in the need for efficient communication, effective collaboration, and unified goals. And to reach that goal, we need to re-examine our ideas about sustainability, conservation, and climate change—not only what these mean to us, but how we can potentially achieve them. Can we successfully promote sustainable living using fear and intimidation, despite seeing consistent failure using this method? Or shall we choose to plunge deeper into the depth of technology—blindly believing the solution lies within advancing the problem?

With these concerns in mind, the authors in the Earth Common Journal: Changing Climates –Social, Political, Economic Vol. 6 No. 1 2016 address the many facets of changing environmentalism through the lenses of social, political, and economic influences. Their considerations, findings, and work are a part of that change.

Acknowledgements

Many dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate individuals assisted in the development of the Earth Common Journal: Changing Climates –Social, Political, Economic Vol. 6 No. 1 2016.

Thank you to everyone who participated in developing this issue.

Editorial Board: Peter Brown, Sharlene Engel, A. Rachelle Foss, Maria Mansson (international student), Erin McKinney

Authors: Peter Brown, Sharlene Engel, A. Rachelle Foss, Maria Mansson, Aaron Mazo, Morgan Messelink, Elisabeth Noe

Other Contributors and Supporters: Dr. John Corlett, Provost and Vice President Academic, MacEwan UniversityDenise Roy, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications, MacEwan University Kerstyn Lane, Office of Sustainability, MacEwan University Kalen Pilkington, Office of Sustainability, MacEwan UniversityDepartment of Communication, MacEwan University

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About the Author

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