It’s difficult to summarize the ways this class will impact my future, as there have been many different aspects the course that have altered the basis of thought on which I built new concepts and opinions. My first three posts (1, 2, and 3) summarized some of the things I have learned throughout the course, and finally I must move past the course and use the knowledge I gained to act upon the information I learned. Each of the texts and units altered my perception in a different way.
The first text, “Why We Disagree About Climate Change” (WWD) influenced me the most in terms of changing my opinion (Hulme 2009). This unit, I believe, will alter the way I choose to interact with others more than any other unit. I have discussed this in depth in other posts, but I believe that it has truly changed the way I think about those who do not agree with me on the topic of climate change. Before this course, it was easy for me to dismiss the words of anyone with a different point of view on climate change, as I did not understand what made our perspectives different, and assumed they did not believe in science, or ignored it completely. However, from this course, and this text specifically, I found many of the reasons as to why others may disagree. The public opinion project gave me a chance to see first-hand the varying points of view that exist all around me. This, in conjunction with the text, gave me a deeper understanding and respect for those with varying views as me on climate change. I think this is extremely important, as I believe strongly that in order for us to change others’ minds and to alter the way the public views climate change, we need to make serious effort to attempt to understand not only the points of view that others have, but also the reasons behind their perspectives. This will definitely alter the ways I discuss climate change in the future, and the ways in which I view climate change and those who disagree with me.
The last text, “Who Rules the Earth” (WRE) was the most influential in terms of action. It gave me a different idea as to how we should act and react to the environmental issues we see on a daily basis (Steinberg 2015). First of all, as I have mentioned in past posts, this text puts a strong focus on the institutional basis on which all reform and action should take place. It also discusses in depth the different social rules, and how they play into these decisions and plans for action as well. This text gave me a stronger idea of how I should act, and how we should make more effort to alter the institutions and how they function, rather than trying to alter simple day-to-day things that we do, such as recycling. Steinberg agrees that this is still important, and I agree with him, if only to stay a reminder to stay aware of consumption. However, he describes how institutional action should remain a primary focus, as it will create reform, that can achieve more than the small changes in our daily routine (Steinberg 2015). This text gave me a push of motivation to work towards looking at institutional reform, and this will definitely alter the ways I choose to take action in the future.
These two texts changed my perspective the most, as the first, WWD, gave me a different way to discuss climate change and to see others, and WRE, that gave me a chance to alter the way I choose to act in the future. I think that these two changes will greatly affect how I conduct my personal life as well as my scholarly one, around climate change and environmental studies in general.
Works Cited
Hulme, Mike. 2009. Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity. 4th Edition edition. Cambridge, UK ; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Steinberg, Paul F. 2015. Who Rules the Earth?: How Social Rules Shape Our Planet and Our Lives. 1 edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.