Interview Someone in Your School or Community
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February 4, 2010 Interview someone in your school or community and tell us what people know about the connection between poverty and climate change and why it is important to combat both.
Interviewed: Silvia Zabulica, teacher of geography at the “Prometeu-Prim” lyceum.
Q: In your experience, how big of an impact do you think that man and his actions have on the course of nature? Particularly, what are the ways the world is influenced by man?
A: The impact humans have on nature is indeed great. Our species has changed the face of Earth in was that could not even be conceived. Starting with the smallest things that are part of day-to-day life, such as driving SUVs, wasting energy in our homes, throwing away recyclable sources and ending with building toxic waste factories, flying planes all over the world, deforesting massive areas. All of these human factors lead to a natural imbalance. But at the same time, a lack of efficient organization of resources and a lack of a modern democratic way of life lead to impoverished societies. The two problems go hand in hand.
Q: Do you believe there are real and immediate consequences to climate change, as immediate as the ones of poverty?
A: Climate change is one of the biggest problems our world faces this century and the consequences are life-threatening. Landscapes will change, ice-caps will melt, countries will be flooded and the natural balance of life, or the world will be disrupted. However, the urgency factor is more characteristic to poverty. This issue does not threaten to kill millions, it has already done this, time and time again.
Q: Which elements of our society have you noticed that are starting to alter? Do you think certain things will disappear altogether? How does poverty contribute to climate change in Moldova?
A: I have noticed the length of different seasons has increased or decreased, I have also observed that in the last couple of years, summer temperatures have run wild. 20 years ago, I was used to wearing fur in November, most certainly in December, this year my autumn coat was more than sufficient. One thing I know will disappear entirely are the norms we think exist, climate will no longer have limitations.
The problem doubles itself in Moldova. Not only is society in desperate need of information regarding global warming, but a great percentage of the population is affected by poverty, and these people need to escape their life conditions, they need to achieve a decent level of living before they can take measures towards combating climate change.
Q: Who, in your opinion, is more responsible for the increasingly damaged state of the eco-system? Would you say the wealthy countries bear more of the blame? How about countries stricken by poverty?
A: I think that the wealthy countries have a greater impact on the climate than the less-developed countries. Considering that they have a more evolved economy, the number of factories is greater, industry and technology have a bigger role in the social life. The magnitude of these aspects in rich countries makes them harder to control.
At the same time, poor countries can’t afford to decrease their negative impact on the climate, little as it may be.
Q: What are the urgent measures that countries need to take in order for ecology to start healing itself? Which steps need to be taken in order to combat poverty? Should one of the problems become the priority ?
A: The answer most possibly lies in the middle. It usually does. We can’t focus on one problem. Poverty and climate change need to be gradually resolved at the same time.
Governments should impose laws regarding renewable resources all over the world. Countries should base their industry on alternative energy sources, cheaper ones, thus striving to decrease carbon emissions and also help boost under-developed communities.
Another thing is changing social mentality. Implementing an eco-friendly subject in schools would educate the leaders of tomorrow’s Earth. But primarily, offering the possibility of education to impoverished societies is the biggest step towards combating poverty. The impact of education should never be taken for granted.
All these things apply for Moldova. We are at a very significant moment in time, where we are taking the first steps towards a truly democratic country and the young people are the hope.
In many parts of the world, one of which are the villages in Moldova, people worry more about not having bread on the table the next day, than not being able to make snowmen a few years later.
We must all make it a personal responsibility to aid our fellow men by fighting poverty and protect our planet by combating climate change.
Q: Thank you very much, Mrs Zabulica.
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