Definition of terms
Social change: This is the transformation of a people’s culture, way of life and social institutions over a certain period of time.
Social movement: These are groups of people who come together with the aim of championing for social change.
Collective behavior: It is the expression of a specific type of behavior by a large group of people and can best be described through mobs, crowds and riots.
Global warming came out as a cautionary movement against human activities that was said to contribute to the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Humanity was challenged to go green and stop any activity that seemed to endanger the climate and that social movement seems to bear fruits. It goes without saying that that people are more protective of the environment are acting more responsibly more than ever. That has had a positive impact on society because humanity is waking up to the realization that they need to preserve the environment and climate for future generations.
What is global warming?
Global warming can be best described as the gradual heating of the earth’s surface temperature as a result of too much greenhouse gases and other carbon dioxide emissions into the air. That results in the progressive heating of water masses such as oceans as well as atmospheric temperatures.
Is global warming a real debate?
As it turns out there exists a lot of information out there that confirm that human activity has led to the problem of global warming, while another section of scientists believe that humans are not responsible for the global climate change. It defeats logic how a section of scientists feel that global climate change is as a result of the undoing of human beings while the rest think otherwise. The only thing that is left for now is for them to come out and agree on the facts presented by either side of the argument and support one point of view.
Long before the counterargument of this debate was made clear; there was a movement that made it known that global warming was in existence and that it was caused by human beings. After careful research and study of the issue, another faction has come out to refute the previous claim. It turns out that no clear and sound argument is justifiable as everybody is out to say what they think is right and that their studies are not conclusive.
Looking at the two arguments propagated by either group of scientists, their views influence our everyday life thus propelling social change. Over time, people have had to change their behavior and way of doing things because they are well aware that their actions are destroying mother earth. It is because of this that everyone is advocating for the use of renewable energy because people have been made to believe that the use of fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming. That prompted a social movement that has brought about social change. The fascinating thing is that as long as proven scientific views keep coming, society will keep calling for conformity and collective behavior that will again influence another change.
The whole debate generates down to politics because the issue of global warming always seem to be used as a political tool that suits a given faction of the political divide when it is deemed fit. Just as Peter Ferrara says in his article Sorry Global Warming Alarmists, The Earth Is Cooling; the alarmists are not able to defend their theories about global warming and climate change (2012, Para. 4). It seems the topic is often taken up by certain groups of people when it suits them. And as long as that happens there will be reliable truths in what scientists say because they seem biased. The bottom line is that if humans want to serve their best interests, this issue will be here to stay just as a tool for propagating social change when the time is right.
Reference
Ferrera, P. (2012). “Sorry Global Warming Alarmists, The Earth Is Cooling.” Forbes. 31st May 2012. Retrieved on 27th April 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2012/05/31/sorry-global-warming-alarmists-the earth-is-cooling/#7640c5e11281
