Visit to Wëlakamike

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-506
Author(s):  
Krishnan Vasudevan ◽  
Sohana Nasrin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Democratic Practices ◽  
Utopian Community ◽  
Artistic Interventions

In this fictional essay, two ethnographers visit Wëlakamike, a community started by a group of citizens who became disillusioned by the failure of nation states to reign in capitalism and manmade climate change. The researchers learn that the technologies and practices designed by community members are used to minimize harm to the environment by human activity while encouraging citizens to engage in spirited democratic practices and artistic interventions. As we articulate in our research statement, this futuristic utopian community is developed upon a critique of contemporary surveillance capitalism and its capacity to disenfranchise people, weaken democracy, and harm the environment.

scholarly journals Quantifying Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri) Hunting Behavior through Community Science

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Emily R. Urquidi ◽  
Breanna J. Putman
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Ontogenetic Shift ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Hunting Behavior ◽  
Crotalus Oreganus ◽  
Community Science

It is increasingly important to study animal behaviors as these are the first responses organisms mount against environmental changes. Rattlesnakes, in particular, are threatened by habitat loss and human activity, and require costly tracking by researchers to quantify the behaviors of wild individuals. Here, we show how photo-vouchered observations submitted by community members can be used to study cryptic predators like rattlesnakes. We utilized two platforms, iNaturalist and HerpMapper, to study the hunting behaviors of wild Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes. From 220 observation photos, we quantified the direction of the hunting coil (i.e., “handedness”), microhabitat use, timing of observations, and age of the snake. With these data, we looked at whether snakes exhibited an ontogenetic shift in behaviors. We found no age differences in coil direction. However, there was a difference in the microhabitats used by juveniles and adults while hunting. We also found that juveniles were most commonly observed during the spring, while adults were more consistently observed throughout the year. Overall, our study shows the potential of using community science to study the behaviors of cryptic predators.

scholarly journals An 8500-year palynological record of vegetation, climate change and human activity in the Bosten Lake region of Northwest China

2019 ◽  
Vol 516 ◽  
pp. 166-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel E. Tarasov ◽  
Dieter Demske ◽  
Christian Leipe ◽  
Tengwen Long ◽  
Stefanie Müller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Bosten Lake ◽  
Lake Region

scholarly journals Impact of climate change and human activity on the runoff in the upper reaches of the Shiyang River, Northwest China

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Li ◽  
Jianhua Xu ◽  
Zhongsheng Chen ◽  
Benfu Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Potential Evaporation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Shiyang River Basin ◽  
Runoff Change ◽  
Increasing Trend

Based on the hydrological and meteorological data of the upper reaches of Shiyang River basin in Northwest China from 1960 to 2009, this paper analyzed the change in runoff and its related climatic factors, and estimated the contribution of climate change and human activity to runoff change by using the moving T test, cumulative analysis of anomalies and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that temperature revealed a significant increasing trend, and potential evaporation capacity decreased significantly, while precipitation increased insignificantly in the past recent 50 years. Although there were three mutations in 1975, 1990 and 2002 respectively, runoff presented a slight decreasing trend in the whole period. The contributions of climate change and human activity to runoff change during the period of 1976-2009 were 45% and 55% respectively.

scholarly journals The Critical Relationship between Climate Change Awareness and Action: An Origin-Based Perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Tiller ◽  
Christian Schott
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
General Public ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Overwhelming Majority

<p>While it is now widely accepted by scientists and governments that human activity contributes to climate change, there is a lack of understanding whether this realisation is now gaining greater attraction with the general public than it had 5 or 10 years ago. Additional gaps in knowledge relate to the link between awareness and action, which could be hypothesised to have become stronger in light of evidence being produced of some projected climate changes occurring already. This article examines climate change awareness and the link with travel-related decision-making by adopting an under-utilised origin perspective in Wellington, New Zealand. The findings, generated by a household mail survey, indicate that the majority of the respondents are aware of tourism’s contribution to climate change and think that it is likely that their lives in New Zealand will be negatively affected by climate change. However, when examining the respondents’ recent holiday decision-making, it is evident that for the overwhelming majority, climate change awareness does not appear to influence travel-related decisions. This article concludes by discussing demand-focused measures aimed at reducing the GHG emissions generated by tourism.</p>

scholarly journals What Can Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Teach Us About Changing Our Approach to Human Activity and Environmental Stewardship in Order to Reduce the Severity of Climate Change?

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
John G Hansen ◽  
Rose Antsanen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Environmental Stewardship ◽  
Fundamental Assumption ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Many Indigenous communities living on traditional lands have not contributed significantly to harmful climate change. Yet, they are the most likely to be impacted by climate change. This article discusses environmental stewardship in relation to Indigenous experiences and worldviews. Indigenous knowledge teaches us about environmental stewardship. It speaks of reducing the severity of climate change and of continued sustainable development. The methodology that directs this research is premised on the notion that the wisdom of the Elders holds much significance for addressing the harmful impacts of climate change in the present day. This article's fundamental assumption is that Indigenous knowledge offers practical and theoretical recommendations to current approaches to human activity and environmental issues. We share findings from interviews with Cree Elders who discussed their worldviews and knowledge systems. Findings revealed that Indigenous knowledge offers a philosophy and practice that serve to reduce the severity of climate change.

scholarly journals Addressing climate change from a social development approach: Small cities and rural communities’ adaptation and response to climate change in British Columbia, Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Lynne Drolet ◽  
Tiffany Sampson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Small Cities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Development Approach ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Climate change is having a very real impact, affecting not only ecosystems but also the socio-economic systems of small cities and rural communities. Globally, climate change is a consequential concern, since it is contributing to an increase in global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, raising sea levels, and natural hazards. Locally, the effects of climate change vary, depending upon the region, with communities experiencing the impacts of climate change differently and at various degrees. This article presents research findings from a study on climate change, disasters, and sustainable development that provide insight into the diverse perspectives of community members on climate change in six communities in the Interior and Northern regions of British Columbia, Western Canada. A common denominator between these six communities is how social development is being applied to address climate change. The concept of social development encompasses social and economic well-being. The social development approach involves processes, activities, and institutions working together to develop the social and economic capacities of individuals and communities. In particular, for social workers working with individuals, families, and communities impacted by climate change, the social development approach is effective in addressing social and economic needs. This article will examine the differing perspectives and attitudes of affected community members and the role of social development with respect to climate change adaptation and response. It will also provide suggestions on how social workers can support and apply the social development approach in communities experiencing the impacts of climate change.

scholarly journals Adaptation measures to sustain indigenous practices and the use of indigenous knowledge systems to adapt to climate change in Mutoko rural district of Zimbabwe

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shingirai S. Mugambiwa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge Systems ◽  
Type Change

This article examines adaptation measures used to sustain indigenous practices and the use of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) to adapt to climate change in Mutoko rural district of Zimbabwe. Community-based adaptation is able to reduce the vulnerability as well as improve the resilience of the local people to climatic variability and change. Subsistence farmers have always adopted adaptive strategies to some of these changes over the years. As such, the adoption of indigenous practices will significantly help rural community members to adapt to climate change. This study employed a qualitative method and an exploratory design, and the results are derived from 30 purposively selected in-depth interviews. The study discovered that there are numerous measures used to adapt to climate change and subsequently to sustain indigenous practices. The study also found that the community no longer grows maize in large quantities, having shifted to millet and sorghum in order to adapt to climate change. The community also provided various strategies to adapt to climate change. These strategies include mulching, creating large storage houses for produce and creating temporary walls on riverbanks in order to store water when the rivers dry up. This study concludes that climate change adaptation measures employed by the community have significantly helped them to sustain their indigenous practices in many ways. Also, the use of IKS, through activities such as crop type change from maize to traditional millet and sorghum (which facilitates traditional lifestyle and activities), re-establishes the community’s indigenous practices since they are made to observe the practices of yesteryear.

Introduction

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna D. Haigh ◽  
Peter Cargill
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
The Sun ◽  
The Past ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Composition Structure ◽  
Earth’S Climate ◽  
Fundamental Requirement

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the Earth's climate system—its composition, structure, and circulation—and some of the ways in which these vary naturally with time. It examines the key features of the structure of the Sun, its magnetic field, atmosphere, and its emission of radiation and particles. A comprehension of how the sun affects the Earth is a fundamental requirement for understanding how climate has varied in the past and how it might change in the future. This is particularly important in the context of determining the cause(s) of climate change and understanding natural factors in order to be able to attribute to human activity any past or potential future influence on a range of timescales.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document