April 2, 2020
Human Impact by Natalia Bennett
Koala sketch by Natalia Bennett
Source: Natalia Bennett
Australian artist Natalia Bennett discusses our role in climate change and calls for positive human impact through political involvement.
We need to discuss Human Impact. The Earth’s population surged within the last century, growing insurmountably from one billion in 1804 to three billion in the 1960s and currently reaching 7.8 billion within the last 70 years – a population increase of around 100 million humans a year.
The diplomatic cost of the parliament’s determination to defend its coal usage is a direct action against the support of the environment and their refusal to accept the catastrophic reality of climate change. Its link with the burning of coal and the environment (the recent devastating fires, for example) and a prime minister too passive to face a crisis with such lethargic responses to climate action and information should now show.
Australian people (and the world), we need a revolt to uphold change and fight the resistance in necessary response we aren’t seeing in the actions of those we have helped place in political positions of power.
It’s beyond a tragedy that countries such as the United States, Australia, and Brazil are the main contributors in denying and delaying fruitful endeavours to change the climate crisis. At the United Nations climate change talks in Madrid in early December 2019 (COP25), a recent proposal for the UN Climate Protection Process in Madrid was halted in its tracks.
“Australia played its part in this failure with proposals that would have rendered any agreement practically useless,” wrote James Dyke of the University of Exeter in The Independent newspaper. “But its continual production of coal is more destabilizing. It’s no surprise that coal mining corporations want to continue coal mining. But the fact that certain Australian political parties and sections of the media strongly promote coal should be a source of immense shame. The greatest gift they could give to Australians and the rest of the world would be to radically rethink their ideological attachment to this fossil fuel.”
Due to the responses of Australia’s shameful efforts in Madrid, European’s now cast Australia with a dismal rejection and opprobrious light. The illusion of lush landscapes and the ideological, prosperous country are no more.
Not to mention the blushing embarrassment, the emotionally charged Australian public fighting is against the implementation of everything to do with Scott Morrison. His show of political and egotistical muscle rather than a face able to submit to the truth and reality is now openly recognized since his escape to Hawaii whilst his country burned.
During the devastation of the fires – artists, creators, civilians alike projected their emotional responses to Scott Morrison’s abandonment of their country. This artwork was painted over by the Australian Government (which the people paid for in taxes) and has directed the public to remove all photos or references from social media.
The egotistical denial and toxic mentality firming its grip of a nation’s voice is a running theme in political leadership and its current climate. We as the voters should be ever as diligent in creating positive change, choosing to come together in response to clear evidence of the failure in building the fight against the rejection of obvious human impact that’s causing extreme devastation. Australia’s reputation as a global citizen has been irrevocably tarnished.
We need to vote for the correct candidates who support positive responses and protection to climate change and our Earth. Our destruction and population increase will only continue to reach levels beyond what we can control in the future and the time for action is ever needed to try to limit the damage we create.
As the people, we should continue to shun and reject this notion of fake involvement or verbal concern with straight denial through their actions. A Prime Minister comfortable with a holiday whilst his nation burns is completely unconscionable.
We need to use human impact in a positive and conscious manner: bringing together the power of nations, emotions, and people to expand voices to match positive actions.
The environmental truth to outrun the lies and the disillusionment towards real issues needs to end, whilst the fight towards a united goal of responsible, ethical production and change made by the people needs to grow to show our support of these issues.
Responsible and simple changes of home energy, landscaping, and consumption. Reducing home energy use through measures such as insulation, being more efficient with home appliances, solar roofing, heat reflective paints, lowering water heater temperature.
Being more aware of environmentally friendly, re-usable goods; raising money; protecting and fighting against sport trophy hunting. Animal culls and making mindful purchases whilst boycotting the companies and industries to the best of our abilities whom forward the destruction and gain from the climates devastation.
All these changes in choice and support can significantly reduce an individual’s carbon footprint. Don’t be disillusioned, distracted, and silent – voting for the climate, protesting, and being involved in the fight and discussion regarding our earth and the industries who most affect her negatively will help, too. We need to consider our actions and personal responsibility in regards to our own impact as humans.
Make Your Human Impact
Check out these links for further information on how to change for Climate change:
- What you can do to fight climate change by World Wildlife Fund
- Sustainable development goals by the United Nations
- Climate Network International
Join the fight at:
Information:
- Scott Morrison is Stuck in a Time Warp – More Gas is Not the Answer via The Guardian
- The World Has Made the Link Between Australian Coal, Fires and Climate via The Sydney Morning Herald
Follow Natalia Bennett on Instagram to keep up with her latest work and show her some love on Etsy!
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