Is climate change fading into the background with the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Should it be?
Via Wikipedia Commons
As the global media scope falls toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the spotlight shifts from the climate change crisis to a conflict. As it seems, global powers are more than happy to lend help and take action to aid Ukraine, and that’s wonderful. However, when there’s a global climate plight going on, the attention must be shared. The problem is the neglect that falls upon a pressing issue that must be addressed. Junior Vivian Jensen said, “Rather than deal with one big problem at a time, I think world leaders should focus on making climate change the main priority and working it in with other global policies.” Now is the time that leaders must balance these two issues, giving them both the attention they deserve.
While it remains ever important to address physical conflicts between nations and further disputes, climate change should not simply slip into the background because such drastic changes in the environment impact all lives and conflicts globally. With war comes the destruction of livelihoods, infrastructure, and governments. If we first deal with climate change and pour our focus and attention into it, then our chances of devastating loss decreases. It’s known that countries dealing with conflict become more vulnerable to climate change because their adaptability is weakened, government disorganized, and resources limited. Freshman Elena Grilli said, “The looming climate crisis exacerbates all other issues.” Climate change leads to people becoming more vulnerable and will create conflicts from hunger, poverty, and other humanitarian crises. If leaders can address this issue first and foremost, many people in developing or struggling countries could reach a better quality of life. Countries need to lessen their vulnerabilities and strengthen themselves to avoid conflicts.
When it comes to the biggest issue facing our world today, everyone knows the phrase: Climate Change. But unfortunately, as popular and widespread as it is, little is done in our daily lives to help combat it. It’s a loop of apathy of greed and loss and it’s imperative that leaders step up and address this climate issue. History repeats itself, which has made itself clear, so why have global policies not changed to reflect that understanding. Be the change, will you?
The one, the only, Solaine Bardin. A freshman working as a staff writer for the Hi-Tide, in her first year of journalism, Solaine Bardin is intrigued by...
