Green Earth: Humans on the Extinction Verge
Future Ready ASEAN Competition 2019 by Green Earth — Indonesian International Relations Study Center (IIRS Center) Jakarta.
Green Earth is a platform where you can find simple written ideas to increase our awareness in preserving green nature and the response need for facing climate change. Where a single mission of these ideas is to protect and hand on the planet for a sustainable future.
WE ARE ACTORS OF CHANGE!
Every single person on this earth has the power to change the world. We are the last generation with a real opportunity to save the world. Green Earth invites you to open your knowledge horizons about global threats that are now increasingly certain, namely regarding environmental issues that have an impact on climate change and human lives.
OUR ACTION, OUR FUTURE
Sustainable as a global public good. Public goods can determine environmental sustainability, which ultimately affects the survivability of our civilization and perhaps our planet. We are also a part that must participate in creating the public good. One of them is… You can also participate with us, by doing an ACTION that you will find it here! Hopefully, we can help you in raising mutual awareness and making you see from a perspective variety about the environment. Happy learning on Green Earth!
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A MONSTER CALLED AS THE CLIMATE CHANGE
“Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now.” –Barack Obama on Climate Change
The end of the Cold War in 1989 and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 have provided space for previously marginalized issues discussion. These issues are sometimes referred to as ‘new security issues’, ‘non-military’, ‘non-conventional’ issues, or ‘grey area phenomena’, but regardless of the name chosen, they all affect human, state, regional and global security. These issues cross country borders and are committed by non-state actors (Daud and Othman, 2005). Unlike the preceding centuries, in which the gravest security threats that a nation-state faced were invariably the armies of other states, in the 21st century, this is no longer the case (Srikanth, 2014).
The concept of security has evolved significantly in the past decades. These transformations in the notion of security are the production of insecurity. In other words, insecurity increases proportionally with the accelerated reflection upon security and changing approaches to security. The scope and influence of this, links in one way or another to all the other sub-fields of the survey: societal insecurity, migration, climate change, water and resources, energy insecurity, organized crime (narcotics, arms and human trafficking), health insecurity (Burgess, 2007).
Nowadays, we face a serious challenge caused by humans on earth. This change has become increasingly a concern since the global industrialization advent. An increasingly uncertain global climate. Why Climate Change? The World Economic Forum at The 2019 Global Risk Report also declares that climate change occupies the top position as the cause of global calamities, such as natural disasters, extreme weather, food and clean water crises, loss of biodiversity, and the ecosystems collapse. Climate change is the catch-all term for the shift in worldwide weather phenomena associated with an increase in global average temperatures. It’s real and temperatures have been going up around the world for many decades.
Where the current 1°C of global warming is already having impacts and causing damage including in the form of extreme and dangerous weather events, for example, the global heatwave this summer, expansive wildfires, and deadly hurricanes. What’s Happened at 1.5°C or 2°C? It will be more dangerous when the earth’s temperature reaches 1.5°C or even reach 2°C. If humans do not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then 30 percent of the ice sheet on the earth’s northern surface part will melt in 80 years (IPCC, 2018).
Climate Risks on 1,5–2 Celcius Degrees
An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report has assessed the science of 1.5°C. It was released in October 2018. The report outlines what it will take to keep global warming to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels and underscores the critical need for urgent and transformative climate action as climate impacts increase in scale, frequency,and intensity. This report will be the authoritative scientific underpinning to guide government policy decision-making as countries look to enhance their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The existential threat of climate change to some vulnerable and island countries was the spur for the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to 1.5°C.
Climate change has a very broad impact on people’s lives. The increase in the earth’s temperature not only affects animals on earth but also changes the climate system that affects various aspects of natural and human life changes, such as water quality and quantity, sea welfare, habitat, forests, health, agricultural land, and coastal ecosystems. The rising earth temperatures impact will include more extreme weather conditions, rising sea levels, damage to coastal ecosystems, loss of vital species and plants, health problems, and global economic problems. Some parts of the world will feel an increase in heat temperatures more than others, and scientists say that the Arctic will probably warm twice the global average this year. They also predict that over the next five years there will be more storms in Western Europe due to sea-level rise.
Regional Movement for Climate Change: the Multi-faceted Impact and Risks on the ASEAN Community
Not only at global forums such as the United Nations, but this safeguarding climate change commitment is also widely discussed in the regional realm. Talking about the region, of course, threats have impacted the stability of the Southeast Asia region. The ASEAN region lies within the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Andaman Sea, and the South China Sea, and stretches more than 3,300 kilometers from north to south (latitudes 30° North to 11° South) and 5,600 kilometers from west to east (longitudes 92° West to 142° East). ASEAN borders China to the north, India, and Bangladesh to the northwest, and East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the southeast. The region also has a long coastline, measuring about 173,000 kilometers in total, and is surrounded by major seas and gulfs such as the South China Sea, the Andaman Sea,and the Gulf of Thailand. In view of its proximity to the equator, the region enjoys a warm and humid climate throughout the year (Letchumanan, 2010).
The special geography of Southeast Asia makes it particularly likely that climate change will affect interstate relations. The region has intricate international borders, like those between Thailand and its neighbors, or on the island of Borneo/Kalimantan, which is divided between Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Indonesia consists of over 17 000 islands; the Philippines has over 7000. Myanmar shares direct land borders with great powers China and India; Laos and Vietnam share borders with China, and Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines all have maritime borders with China (territorial claims in the South China Sea). This geographical complexity creates many risks of climate-related developments spilling over from one state to another, but also opportunities for countries to coordinate their climate mitigation and adaptation measures (Overland, et.al, 2017).
ASEAN’s Commitment to Climate Change: A Single Mission to Protect Sustainable Future and Hand on the Next Generation
Recognizing that Southeast Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions of the world in terms of adverse climate change impacts that can undermine food and nutrition security and the attainment of SDGs, and capitalizing on its potential to strengthen the resilience of its people and ecosystems towards a more sustainable future (ASEAN, 2018). ASEAN needs a commitment to advancing climate action towards the achievement of our respective Nationally Determined Contributions in implementing the Paris Agreement.
At the 34th ASEAN Summit 2019, ASEAN recognized the importance of a people-oriented and people-centered approach in dealing with climate change and will continue to enhance our communication, education, and public awareness on climate change, as well as environmental protection. Furthermore, the owing are the ASEAN’s chair statement commitments at the 34th ASEAN Summit in 2019:
- ASEAN reiterated our support for the operationalization of the ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN One Response: ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside the Region. We also commended the work of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) enhancing ASEAN’s capabilities and cooperation in disaster management and emergency response.
- ASEAN also reiterated our commitment to the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) and the Roadmap on ASEAN Cooperation Towards Transboundary Haze Pollution Control with Means of Implementation (the Roadmap) to achieve a Haze-Free ASEAN by 2020.
- ASEAN shared a concern over the high and rapidly increasing levels of marine debris and acknowledged the urgent need for strong regional collaboration among ASEAN Member States and with partners to effectively address this issue. welcomed the ASEAN Framework of Action on Marine Debris to strengthen collaborative action among the ASEAN Member States and partners to prevent and significantly reduce marine debris, produced from both sea-based and land-based activities.
- ASEAN recognized the progress made in implementing conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of the region to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, with the support of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, and encouraged all ASEAN Member States to join the preparation of the Post-2020 biodiversity framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity taking into account the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals.
Sources:
ASEAN. (2019). Chairman’s Statement of the 34th ASEAN Summit. The 34th ASEAN Summit 2019: Bangkok.
ASEAN. (2018). ASEAN Multi-Sectoral Framework for Climate Change. The 40th AMAF Meeting: Viet Nam.
Burgess, J. Petter. (2007). Non-Military Security Challenges. International Peace Research Institute. Oslo: PRIO.
Daud, Sity and Zarina Othman. 2005. Politik dan Keselamatan. Bangi : Penerbit UKM.
Letchumanan, Raman. (2010). Climate Change: is Southeast Asia up to the challenge?: is there an ASEAN policy on Climate Change?. LSE: London, UK.
IPCC. (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Switzerland
Overland, Indra. (2017). Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier. Institute of International Affairs and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies.
Srikanth, Divya. (2014). Non-Traditional Security Threats in the 21st Century: A Review. International Journal of Development and Conflict: Singapore.
World Wide Fund for Nature. (n.d). The Urgency of 1.5°C. Accessed on 5th October 2019 at GMT+7 Jakarta, 22.26 o’clock http://wwf.panda.org/our_work/climate_and_energy/ipcc152/
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FAILED PLANET: DILEMMATIC OF THE WORLD CHANGE
“Business cannot succeed on a planet that fails. Jobs cannot be sustained on a dying planet.” –UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres
We need economic development, especially industrialization, to improve people’s lives. however, we also must not forget that industrialization that ignores environmental conditions will instead turn into a disaster that destroys the results of development. In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change agreement was reached. This is an international agreement to consider what can be done to limit climate change and to overcome its effects. In 1997, Japan hosted the Third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto, where the Kyoto Protocol was reached.
The agreement is expected to reduce the climate change threats. But that hope vanished when the United States refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol since 2007 which required developed industrial countries to reduce emissions of six types of greenhouse gases gradually until 2012. Likewise, with the subsequent agreement, the United States continued to refuse, which for the United States it could detrimental to the United States economy and industry. Yet the United States’ role is very important in taking joint action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, where the United States as the world’s largest emitter.
Dilemmatic of The World Change
The absence of the United States which plays an important role in world police will be a challenge that must be faced by other countries in the world. The United States’ decision, of course, will have a direct impact on other countries, especially in third states. Climate change is a frightening specter for the third state, including ASEAN countries. Southeast Asia with 600 million people population is considered to be severely threatened by climate change because most of its territory is coastal. Southeast Asian coastal cities are threatened due to global climate change, agricultural output will decline and people’s opportunities to get clean water will be reduced. Thus, it not only impacts environmental threats but also the country’s economy and human security.
Developed countries and industrialized countries will be held accountable as the main actors that create environmental impacts. But, in fact, the third world countries that have most to bear these impacts. Developed countries and industrialized countries will be held accountable as the main actors that create environmental impacts. But, in fact, the third world countries that have most to bear these impacts due to a world dependency system. Many small island nations out there are in danger of being lost due to rising sea levels and it is happening now.
“People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystem are collapsing. We are at the beginning of mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you” — Greta Thunberg
How to Cope With The Issue?
We as actors who can be agents of world change, actually we have many ways to participate in protecting the green earth. In individual contexts, we can get used to not littering, saving electricity, using environmentally friendly objects, reducing the use of plastic waste, planting mangroves, until promoting environmentally friendly technology. However, in the country context, combating environmental threats is something that must be done together. Therefore, establishing cooperation between countries and also collaboration with the wider community is important. Every country has a big responsibility in facing this challenge so that no one should be absent from efforts to protect the environment. For example, in the United States, although they refused to join the Kyoto Protocol agreement, the US offered another solution by making a deal with several Asian countries called the Asian Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. Then the mitigation efforts of each country also become an important commitment in responding to climate change that is increasingly in front of us.
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HOW MULTILATERALISM WORKS: ASEAN and the Climate Change
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” –R. Buckminster Fuller
ASEAN, in the declaration on the 13th session of Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the 3rd Session of the CMP to the Kyoto Protocol, was resolute in its commitment to address the issue and importance of climate change and achieve its objectives of sustainable development. In its continuing efforts to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in accordance with the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, ASEAN has pledged to address the issue of climate change beyond 2012 through realizing an effective, fair, flexible, and comprehensive multilateral arrangement. ASEAN has also ensured its commitment towards effective bilateral, regional, and global partnerships to promote the development and transfer of low carbon technologies including cleaner and climate-friendly technologies (Letchumanan, 2010). The climate change problem which has an impact on the Southeast Asian region is a serious threat. What’s making it so considerable? Here we’ll explain it!
ASEAN Challenges on Climate Change
As stated in the previous article, ASEAN countries have a geographic factor that is interdependent in dealing with the climate change problem, where the problem will threaten the ASEAN people and ASEAN economy welfare. ASEAN’s contribution to implementing the Paris Agreement can be seen in the final chairman statement at the 34th ASEAN Summit which focuses on three commitments, namely:
Enhancing ASEAN’s capabilities and cooperation in disaster management and emergency response. The climate change threat causes various natural disasters increasingly and unpredictability. ASEAN countries are in the ring of fire that natural disasters potential such as earthquakes and tsunamis will be vulnerable. Climate change also causes weather uncertainty in ASEAN countries as tropical climate owners. Drought will be a threat that must be immediately addressed to ASEAN countries, cause the natural resources available in ASEAN countries are their economic income sources. Natural resources in the agriculture sector very depend on water availability. If water isn’t able to flow through their plantations and agriculture, then the crop failure possibility will increase. Rain is a God’s mercy for the people of ASEAN life, but, as uncertain weather changes occur, often rainstorms endanger the community and threaten harmful damage.
It cannot be separated from the climate change problem. Climate change that occurs on this earth, will melt the polar ice that will result in rising sea levels and threaten coastal and marine communities. ASEAN countries have the majority of island nations with vast stretches of ocean, a distinct advantage for fishermen. Unfortunately, with the rising sea level, it will erode the coast to the threatened island sinking. This is a real threat, which has happened to small island nations in the world, such as Kiribati which is threatened to disappear so that threatened its people’s welfare.
ASEAN concern on Marine Debris. ASEAN has a vast ocean. By having a vast ocean there will be losses and benefits to be gained. The ocean extent owned by ASEAN countries requires close supervision because of that its importance for building maritime cooperation between ASEAN countries and ASEAN partner countries. Not to mention that currently the ASEAN region is faced with an unprecedented crisis on a large scale, large-scale unwanted garbage shipments from developed countries that end at ports and landfills in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Waste can indeed be recycled, unfortunately, in Southeast Asia, there are no good facilities and recycling mechanisms. The plastic waste disposal into the sea will also have an impact on the marine ecosystem. This global waste import puts Southeast Asia as the disadvantaged party. The waste import crisis facing this region is largely due to a waste import ban imposed impact in China since 2018.
ASEAN on transboundary haze pollution. The haze and pollution in ASEAN countries’ problems pose a serious threat to every individual. The ASEAN countries’ forests large amount has made the ASEAN government push for the Free Haze Pollution vision. With tropical climate conditions, ASEAN geographies are very vulnerable to forest and land fires. Moreover, the people irresponsibility who burn forests, so that the problem of cross-border haze will be a big problem for ASEAN. Widespread haze across countries will create new problems that will harm both the economy and human well-being sides.
On the other hand, this will have an impact on the air pollution quality which is getting worse, along with the development of industry in ASEAN countries as a strategic economic region. Economic development is inseparable from the environmental problems exclusion. In addition to industry, air quality is exacerbated by growing private transportation rise. ASEAN gas emissions have increased sharply making it very vulnerable to be affected by the effects of global warming. In this sustainable development case, ASEAN has an important mission in maintaining the economic and environmental sustainability
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How To Be More Sustainable? Here the Ways YOU Can Help the EARTH
As the world change agents, there are many ways we can do to keep our green earth. Remember that, each of your roles is very valuable for our earth's sustainable future! Here the ways you can help our earth:
1. Reduce Emissions
It is very important to build a balance between industrial development and the environment to reduce gas emissions which cause air pollution to get worse. But, here simple things that you can do to participate to solve our climate change, such as use public transportation when traveling or familiarize yourself with using environmentally friendly transportation so you can reduce the level of bad air pollution. You can also get used to walking! Besides being healthy, walking is fun where you can find many people to greet you while looking around the scenery.
2. Create Less Waste: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
As we know, plastic waste is a problem in ASEAN, therefore we must be able to increase our awareness to reduce, reuse, and recycle it! Use less plastic! Use less plastic = reduce ocean plastic. Where you also play a role in saving our marine ecosystems. These steps are generally good for the environment and to reduce the harmful effects of plastic pollution. For how to reduce, reuse, and recycle it, you can learn it on the internet or in your books.
3. Save Energy
Using energy more efficiently is an essential part of the strategy to lower carbon emissions. When you consume less power, you reduce the number of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth’s natural resources, and protect ecosystems from destruction. By taking steps to reduce your energy intake, you’ll contribute to a healthier and happier world. The simplest way is… By pull out, a gadget that is fully charged saves water and electricity at home. If you can, start innovating to use renewable energy that is more environmentally friendly, like solar thermal energy and wind. eliminating forego fossil fuels is better. Let’s save our energy!
4. Alternative Infrastructure Upgrade
ASEAN countries lie in the ring of fire that is vulnerable to natural disasters. So we also need new innovations to build buildings with natural disaster safety standards and certainly environmentally friendly. Infrastructure systems are the front line of defense against flooding, heat, wildfires, hurricanes, and other disasters. Infrastructure is being damaged by sea-level rise, heavy downpours, and extreme heat. Damages are projected to increase with continued climate change. The imperative of making sustainable infrastructure investments today to build a better future cannot be overstated. We must act now.
5. Be Vegetarian and Eat Less Meat!
Do you know? that water energy is widely used in the livestock industry? Also, realize that we are on the extinction verge if we are always hunting. Therefore, we need to reduce our consumption of meat and start loving vegetables or other alternatives that can replace the nutritional value. By reducing that consumption, you can save energy and save animals from extinction.
6. Reducing Foam
Hey, you have to realize, the foam that is generated from our daily activities is very threatening to nature's safety and the sea! Every drop of water saves a life, if there is just a little that affects it, it will change that life which ultimately impacts us!
7. Take Action to Save Forests
Planting millions of trees across the world is one of the biggest and cheapest ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere to tackle the climate crisis. As trees grow, they absorb and store the carbon dioxide emissions that are driving global heating. because of that, it is important to remember, we must also stop cutting trees so that the trees continue to grow and absorb carbon dioxide. In addition, we must also pay attention to the coastal areas by trying to plant mangrove trees. Mangroves protect coastlines, treat polluted waters, provide livelihoods and resources for some of the world’s poorest people, and are home to an impressive number of species. Let’s participate with Green Earth to plant mangrove seeds!
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LET’S ACTION!
A Call to Action: Planting Mangroves, Save Our Coast
The presence of Mangrove Forests is very important in maintaining a stable coastline. Considering, the presence of existing trees and bush populations in the mangrove forest can protect the coastline from the direct hit by the waves which have the potential to hit and damage the shoreline. Like coral reefs, mangrove forests are extremely productive ecosystems that provide numerous goods and services both to the marine environment and people (WWF, n.d.). In addition, another important role of Mangrove Forests is to protect beaches and river banks from damage, such as erosion and abrasion. Seawater will usually tide and recede in accordance with the sea breeze movement. Mangrove forests will protect the land around the coastline so that it is not carried by seawater.
Protecting natural ecosystems like mangrove forests not only helps preserve biodiversity, it also helps preserve a vital resource for local communities (Wood, 2019). Southeast Asia region is known as the world’s largest area of mangrove, extending over 6.8 million Ha, representing 34–42% of the world’s total (in the 1980s). That is due to the coastal areas a large number in the ASEAN member countries. Recognizing the serious threat’s existence to the coastline caused by climate change, making the function of mangrove forests very important for ASEAN countries. Several solutions to these problems have been adopted in member countries, such as restoration and rehabilitation. ASEAN is aware of the need to establish a united network for sharing the commendable practices and lessons learned, so formed ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF) 14th and 15th to form ASEAN Mangrove Network.
Now that you know how important mangroves are to our country, start your small steps with us. You as one of the agents of world change, of course, you have an important role in creating green earth. Let’s participate with Green Earth to plant mangrove seeds! Green Earth invites you to plant mangroves to save our coastal and marine areas. Let’s plant now before it’s too late and tell it to your friends! Come on help ASEAN and our world to protect the mangrove forests and plant them!
Sources:
Anthony B. Rath. (n.d.). Mangrove Importance. World Wide Fund. https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/oceans/coasts/mangroves/mangrove_importance/
Wood, Johny. (2019). Five Reasons to Protect Mangrove Forest for the Future. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/02/5-reasons-to-protect-mangrove-forests-for-the-future/
