October 15th, 2009Climate change collaboration
Climate change is a reality. It is affecting the lives of billions of people and the Earth’s ecosystems now. Everywhere, people are saying – act.
We know we can take action as individuals through the day to day choices we make in our homes, at the supermarket and in the office. But we also need to take bigger action and we need to do that together.
Climate change presents two major challenges: to rapidly reduce emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases and to adapt to the changes which are already happening due to past emissions.
The complexity of what we are now facing in a rapidly climate changing world means that no one individual, group or organization has all the necessary skills or knowledge either to fully understand the challenges involved or to design the appropriate solutions.
We need to collaborate. Such collaboration will need to involve all sectors of society, including citizens, businesses and government, and to link initiatives from the local to the global level.
The Open University believes learning processes and the web can empower people to collaborate and find innovative solutions to the realities of climate change. This is what we are now working on through two programmes; ‘Learning to Live with Climate Change and SocialLearn.
The web is brilliant at bringing information and ideas to thousands of people – as it is here, right now. It is a vast social network which connects people with each other and people with ideas. Conversations start. New ideas spread.
The next step is to learn, make choices and to act together.
Everywhere, people will be saying – let’s learn, let’s collaborate, let’s act together.
[written for Blog Action Day. The subject is climate change.]
December 19th, 2009 at 8:10 am
An interesting point, especially as I’m currently working on a research proposal into climate change impacts on water supplies in informal settlements which will require a lot of travel. Just a point of information, RAE is based on how many times work published by an institution is cited, so while collaboration helps increase this, it’s perfectly possible to get a good citation rate without much collaboration.
January 4th, 2010 at 7:52 am
This is a very informative blog i really liked it.The warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea levelThe Earth is the only planet in our solar system that supports life. The complex process of evolution occurred on Earth only because of some unique environmental conditions that were present: water, an oxygen-rich atmosphere, and a suitable surface temperature.
January 7th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Interesting to encounter the reactions to the cold winter weather we experience now. ‘Who turned off the heat?’
Besides pointing to the difference between climate and weather, what do you say to the climate sceptics?
January 7th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Of course climate change is a reality. As a puerile statement of the bleeding obvious that just about takes the biscuit. It has been going on ever since the World came into existence, just as it is on Mars. However, to go on to suggest that the problem can be solved by mankind, really is a step too far into cloud cuckoo land.
If we cut back by the amount we are told we have to to make a difference, I understand that it will only put off the inevitable by less than 10 years. If the Global Warming theorists are correct.
So, it is already too late if what the “Warmists” say is to be believed and always remember both those those who are saying and those who are gainsaying it, have vested interests. The “Warmists”, have their massive research grants to protect and the “Deniers” have their commercial interests to protect. Both are donning veery nicely thank you. Always remember that when looking at the warring sides. Then, of course, there are the swivel eyed converts, who with all the zeal of the converted can see no other argument that that to which they have cleaved.
What is needed and what we are not getting is a balanced argument from those who have absolutely no axe to grind.
Far more important than the “Global Warming” myth or otherwise, is the even more important question of how to conserve the earth’s natural resources which are, of course, finite.
In conclusion, I don’t have an opinion either way, I just want a clear argument from both sides clear of commercial or self-seeking bias. Some hope. Physically, the truth will not affect me either way, my ashes will have been scattered long since, but I would like to know whether I’m paying for something that will actually make a difference or not.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I cannot understand this. What exactly is a blog? perhaps someone will be goodenough to define blog. Anyway, climate change is something that has been with us since before the start of time, and will persist until the last day. When I signed up to Social Learn I (naively) thought that I might learn something. So far all is gobbley-de-gook and jargon. At least when I studied for my degree I knew that by the end of each course I would have acquired some knowledge and understanding of the subject. I am still wondering what Social Learn is about? If this were costing me money I would demand a refund. Unfortuneately it is impossible for you to refund the wasted time and effort that I have invested.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Some polar bear populations are declining, but others are increasing. Warmer climate will cause some deaths and save some lives too. Global warming is happening and will cause problems. Let us examine what we can do and what effect those actions will have.
Bjorn Lomborg has done that in “Cool It” and the apparent answers are at variance with the efforts to reduce carbon loading of the atmosphere, at great cost, right now. In the next one to two decades, non-polluting energy sources will become cheaper than coal, and we should, I think, put some resources into supporting the research and development of those technologies to guarantee and accelerate those results. Meanwhile, as Lomborg notes, we can sensibly address the problems by more inexpensive and direct approaches.
Meanwhile, our educational technologies can provide enormous economic advantage if we develop them to provide convenient and inexpensive just-in-time learning opportunities. I’m looking forward to better methods for teaching, learning, and employing critical thinking about all our great problems.
January 7th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Odd problem. On this site, when I supply my website, many characters are appended when it is used as a link invoked by clicking on my name. The resulting corrupted link fails, of course. Why is it not obvious how to report such a problem? I shouldn’t have to annoy all readers with such an issue about which they can do nothing particularly useful.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:23 am
It may be deliberate on the OU’s part, Richard. They may wish to block access to external sites if they haven’t vetted them, in case they are offensive.
January 11th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
this is a great post. I love how you connect organization, culture, mediation, collaboration, and ancient wisdom. You have a real systems perspective.
February 7th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
One of the most discussed topics my school students wish to talk about and always ask questions, even when I teach Business & Management.
School children I teach wish to get involved in the climate debate and wish to discuss issues with other schools online and leaving messages on social media. The children say that everyone is responsible for the climate and we should be working together. My input and experience on this debate.