BLOGPROMPT NUMBER 3

To what extent do you think that it is your duty as a citizen to be 'informed'? Are you informed? How do you get to be informed about serious issues? To what extent do you think that you should leave the complicated decisions to others?

It is my duty to be informed, because we need to be aware of what is happening to the environment locally in our country and globally. If we choose to ignore the obvious signs of change, then it may be too late for humans to reverse any changes that have occurred. At the very least we should investigate why changes have occurred in the last three decades.

On the other hand Scientists who believe that climate change is not due to human intervention, claim that the earth has been through many cycles of climatic changes in the past. The evidence for this is recorded in the geology(rocks). Some argue that climate change is partly due to both. However, it is important that we examine all aspects of why our climate is changing and investigate the reasons for it.It is important that all individuals are fully informed and we all have a duty to ensure that we heed the advice and information given so that we can make an informed decision.

I recognise that there is a wealth of information regarding climate change and its suggested causes. There is daily news updates about climate change in the media(T.V., Radio, Internet, Newspapers). An example of how well we are informed is given in the Copenhagen Consensus.

We all have to consider the advice given to us about the effects of climate change. We need to be fully informed on the impact that suggested climate change having on the environment. This advice should be given by leading Scientists, Environmental Pressure Groups e.g. friends of the earth and informed politicians from National Governments and International Organisations such as United Nations. It is difficult for an individual to make a decision that would affect climate change so we need accurate guidance from experts as to how individuals can make a difference.

Organisations can impose restrictions on the use of private transport to get to work or to go to college by not issuing parking permits for individuals who live within a radius of three miles. Many of the decisions that we make in our lives are taken out of our hands because of imposed restrictions. The most complicated decisions will be taken away from individuals and will be made by others. Any decision that an individual may make will end up costing them through carbon emission taxes. It seems that Governments are putting responsibility on to individuals by making them more aware of the energy that we use.