As the effects of climate change continue to increase in severity, our world is beginning to face issues which go further than just rising temperatures and floods. Here are 3 ways in which our world's climate crisis is affecting culture, customs and traditions around the world. By Laia Photo by Christian Joudrey on Unsplash Vacation Culture A vacation on the Mediterranean coast, on an island like Hawaii or in an adventurous spot in south east Asia, is to most a dream, but one that climate change is causing to die. Over the past couple of years, a shift in tourism has been found around the globe, as the rapidly increasing effects of climate change have become more dire. With top tourist destinations becoming too hot, catching fire and even beginning to sink, travelers around the world have begun to find new spots to travel to. This is leaving countries which used to receive an influx of tourists every season, beginning to find themselves lower and lower on people's bucket list. A more severe example of this is Hawaii, one of the world's hottest vacation spots, and currently in a more literal than figurative sense. Since the fires which ravaged the island in early August, a large drop in tourism has been seen, specifically in Maui. Locals on the island of Hawaii have been complaining about the burdens that over tourism has brought along for several years. Though the same can not be said for the many other top tourist spots in the world - especially ones with economies that thrive off of foreign visitors. Photo by Nicolai Berntsen on Unsplash Skiing going downhill For many countries in the northern hemisphere, skiing is not only a sport or a leisure activity, it is a lifestyle. But as earth's temperatures increase, and snowfall becomes more and more scarce, skiing culture is beginning to change, and for many, beginning to die. According to the Washington post, many ski resorts in the United States, Europe and even Asia, have begun to use fake snow machines, using electrically frozen water to replicate snow. These machines are being integrated into ski resorts to make up for the lack of snow in the mountains, but many skiers feel as if it is breaking the rules, and have rejected the idea, leading to many ski resorts having to close down. This includes the Tigres alpine resort in France, which has experienced a severe amount of snow loss over the past decade. This is as most skiing sports in the Alps rely on glaciers to provide snow as well as water, making the rising temperatures a threat to a large number of resorts in the region. With sports such as skiing and snowboarding, which are so dependent on climate, beginning to fall on a rapid decline, it is not rash to wonder whether they will still exist in a few decades time. Photo by Thomas Marban on Unsplash Fish culture in Japan
Japan is undoubtedly notorious for their bright culture and traditions, and it is no different when it comes to their love for fish. This is likely why the country has been one of the top consumers as well as exporters of seafood in the world for decades. From their sushi to their fried tempura, Japan is renowned for their love of eating from the sea. Though with rising sea temperatures at an all time high, and a drastic change in ocean lifes population and migration habits due to climate change, Japan has begun to feel the effects of our earth's crisis, and now, it's hitting in their stomachs, and for many, their bank accounts as well. The country's fish catch hit an all time low in 2022, dropping by 7.3% from the previous year, and it has only been going downwards since then. This change has not only affected Japan culturally, but economically, as the decrease in supply has caused prices to increase. Now, what has been a standard product in the average Japanese household for centuries, is beginning to turn into a cost, which soon may become a luxury rather than a staple. Our world is at an ever changing point in time, with each day bringing new discoveries and changes; ones both good and bad. Cultures and traditions are the sacred foundations of our world, and arguably what keeps our societies together and running. But the times are telling, and the effects of climate change are beginning to beg the question: Is wealth, development and technology worth not only the cost of our planet, but of our values? Works Cited
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Reporting by Connie “Data analysis is a critical aspect of conservation efforts and we have a wave of new scientists ready to use their skills to help limit human's impact on the natural world.” - Mr. Peter This Grade 8 ESS project was an investigation into whether or not there was a chance that sea turtles could go extinct in the future. From analyzing graphs about the connection between temperature and the gender of sea turtles, to graphs about hatching success and water content within the sand, we found that hot sand temperatures are found to affect embryonic development to become a female, and wet sand composition is found to affect embryonic development to become a male. The rising temperatures caused by climate change have unbalanced the populations of female and male sea turtles, therefore affecting the rate of reproduction. Students came to the conclusion that the extinction of sea turtles in the future may thus become a reality in just a few years if action is not taken to reverse current trends. You can read my full evaluation report on the worrying data here. |
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