Post #4-Haiti

While there is a big need for the world to shape up and protect what matters the most, leaders of this world refuse to change anything. Why? Money. The public of each country will often agree that something, anything really, must be done to save this world. Scientist estimate that we have roughly 12 years to start making changes before reaching the no turning back point. Action suggested by scientist and anyone with common sense include reducing the amount of coal burning facilities and increasing the number of places that produce clean energy. Clean energy has many forms, from nuclear fission, to wind farms, to solar panels, to hydroelectric dams and underwater turbines. While building these kinds of facilities may cost a good sum of money in the beginning phase of construction, the costs of building these facilities will eventually pay for themselves by the amount of clean energy brought in and by the amount of CO2 we would not be releasing.

Another way to help clean up the earth is through using more energy efficient objects, like low-water toilets and electric cars. Car companies, like Tesla, are starting to focus on producing more cars that release less CO2 and require less fuel for a longer trip. Specifically for Tesla, they plan to increase their production of their newest series, the Model 3, while trying to make it more affordable. While these kinds of changing must be made by individuals, not countries, changes in the amount of Carbon Dioxide produced can be controlled by the nations and help reduce the global warming. What is currently being done by world leaders is almost nothing. The US has decided not to do much in order to save the world, while China, France, England, Canada, and more countries have pledged to try and reduce their CO2 production. While there was a consensus at the international meetings for climate change, the biggest producer of Carbon Dioxide in the world, the US, did not attend those meetings, and therefore basically refuses to make any changes, with the head of the government claiming that global warming being a myth. There is some sort of consensus, but only a few countries agree with and implement plans in coordination with the consensus.

According to the US AID (from the American People), the biggest and most prevalent problem in Haiti is the current environmental degradation, also known as deforestation. This posses a major health concern to Haitians, because trees can stop mass flooding, the dramatic rates of soil erosion, and declines in agricultural productivity. Not only is deforestation a problem, but sediment deposit into the ocean and over-fishing are some of the other causes that result in a loss in diversity. In the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince, waste management is a big problem, with solid waste often clogging pipes and causing back-flow. With the depleting number of trees in Haiti, every hurricane that hits have a greater impact, often causing massive floods and millions of dollars of damage. Water.org, a non-profit organization aimed at helping people afford or gain access to safe and clean drinking water, entered into an agreement with Haitian outreach, to bring clean water to over 18,000 people by fixing old wells and drilling new ones.

            Other environmental groups, such as Friends of the Earth Haiti, work to restore the forest and deserts to the way things were in the first place. They also work on maintaining a sustainable agriculture, and work on soil degradation, waste management, and overall awareness on many other issues. Another group, Yele Haiti, founded by musician Wyclef Jean, aims to help make a difference in areas of development, education, health, and environment. Their main goal is to create small projects that would eventually help Haiti in the long-term.