Introduction

Enviromnmental CitizenshipIt is estimated that global temperature will rise from between 1.4 to 5.5O C by 2100 if we don’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


The expected effects of such a temperature change are expected to include:


  • Flooding of low-lying areas.
  • More extreme weather conditions across the world.
  • Environmental refugees as people move from uninhabitable areas.
  • Significant impacts on wildlife and their habitats.

As citizens we need to consider what responsibilities we have to reduce our environmental impact, in particular our impact on climate change.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, environmental citizenship is:

‘a simple reiteration of a known fact - that the preservation of the environment is an obligation entrusted upon everyone and all governments by virtue of the inherent relationship between people and nature and between citizens and their governments’

Outline of the activity

  • You will be asked to calculate your own contribution to climate change.
  • You will then consider what changes you could make to your life to reduce your impact.
  • Finally, you will be asked to reflect on broader action you might take to affect the policies of your university and government.