Direct experience with anthropogenic global warming is often undermined by the challenge of differentiating it from daily weather variations. Nonetheless, the issue of climate change has grasped my attention in recent times. In my early years of life, I used to hear my parents and other close relatives worry about future impacts of the global warming phenomenon in the world, especially in localities experiencing widespread industrialization. However, I did not take their anxiety seriously, probably because I had minimal understanding of the universe, and there were few indicators to convince me. Therefore, like any other young person, I grew up not appreciating the importance of preserving the environment to prevent future disastrous impacts of global warming.
Contrary to my initial naivety, climate change is here, and virtually everyone across the world can attest to its wide-ranging influence. In recent years, I have become increasingly cognizant of diverse extreme weather and climatic events, notably, shrinking glaciers, wildfires, higher temperatures, and prolonged droughts. As an avid beachgoer, I have taken note of significant rises in sea levels. Moreover, reading recent stories of severe flooding in African countries has elevated my recognition of the global warming reality. Newly published research has predicted the escalation of these events in the coming decades. As observed by Grossman, about 74% of the world’s population will be adversely affected by severe heatwaves by 2100 unless global greenhouse gas emissions are reduced (346). In light of my personal experience as well as projections from empirical evidence, I am convinced that global warming is an issue that requires urgent review by all, including those who have been skeptical about the scientific basis of human-induced climatic change. Through my interaction with educational media and various political discourses, I firmly believe that climate change is a fundamental human challenge that requires collaboration between multiple agencies to combat its progression.
My interest in climate change discourse has been heightened by the radical socialization emanating from my schooling, the media, and economic systems. Notably, education has played a significant role in shaping my worldview concerning various aspects of life, including environmental preservation. The school experience opened numerous opportunities to learn varied concepts that I could hardly find anywhere else. Through the utilization of scientific ways of thinking, methods of analysis, rational considerations, and critical thinking, learning institutions enable students to think objectively and more tactfully in mastering the natural surrounding (Yuliani and Hartanto 147). In this sense, academic centers introduce people to additional cultural values. Consistently, the school setting has been a central socialization agent in my life that enabled me to learn a great deal of my surrounding environment.
Besides cultural diffusion, schools inculcate new values, beliefs, and ways of life that elevate the innate desire for sustainable social change. According to Yuliani and Hartanto, the principal role of education in social change is to enhance people’s critical thinking and instill values and beliefs of new ways of thinking (147). Indeed, this function is crucial in thriving in the contemporary world. More than ever before, globalization has resulted in increased dynamism that requires critical thinkers to generate viable responses for organizations as well as society in general. The knowledge and skills I have gained from my schooling thus far have transformed my worldview concerning the issue of climate change. Consequently, I now perceive this phenomenon as the most potent threat to the earth’s existence. Overall, I partly attribute school experience to my growing interest in climate change discussions.
The relentless efforts of government agencies have also augmented my passion for ecological conservation. As the disastrous effects of global warming continue to ravage various parts of the country in recent times, the federal government, as well as local authorities, have been increasingly vocal in pushing for policy reforms aimed at reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. For example, the Oregonian State governor recently signed an executive order that seeks to reduce carbon emissions 45 per cent below the nineties levels by the year 2035 (Sickinger). Moreover, various national governments worldwide have encouraged citizens to embrace eco-friendly practices. Thanks to this unwavering commitment, I have met several friends and family members who are determined to purchase electric cars and engage in community activities with the potential to minimize atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, these policy initiatives have further reinforced my enthusiasm for participating in various processes seeking to find a long-lasting solution to the problem of climate change.
The government’s influence on my attentiveness to climate change discussions delineates the vital role played by the institution in value socialization among citizens. Senior students keen on political happenings at the global arena are more likely to be attracted to critical discourses than their junior counterparts because they have acquired the awareness levels required to comprehend complex issues (Lee 111). Consistently, my knowledge of political events expanded after I transitioned from high school to the university. Since then, I have been attentive to what is taking place within the public administration sphere to gain insights into the government’s role in improving the lives of its citizens. Among many other essential aspects, the government’s approach to environmental preservation has reignited my curiosity in the issue of climate change.
Furthermore, the media has been one of the agents of socialization that has reinforced my enthusiasm for climate change conversations. Since my childhood, I have been a staunch media enthusiast who never tires from following educative programs and reading scientific-based publications. Particularly, I spend most of my leisure time watching nature documentaries and sports programs. Indeed, my passion for media once tempted me to become a TV broadcaster, only to shelve this ambition because of parental influence. While this dream never materialized, the media has remained a core part of my life whenever time allows. Thus, I have learned diverse concepts and issues that have significantly shaped my ecological worldview.
The available literature provides strong evidence concerning the role of the media in child socialization. Lila notes:
There is no doubt that the media influences people’s attitudes and outlooks. Until the child becomes 18 years old, the most of his time he spends watching television and internet, than any other activities, except sleeping. Increasing of the impact of television is perhaps the only significant development of this century. It can be said that the Internet has also become a medium used excessively. (149)
Consistent with this argument, I believe that my steadfast enthusiasm for media has shaped most of my views towards sports and nature. Despite my schooling and professional engagements, I often find a few hours to watch several episodes weekly. Among other things, my involvement with the media has made to identify climate change as one of the most recurring themes in the episodes I have watched, a scenario that compels me to be part of the solution-finding team.
Overall, the knowledge and insights I have obtained from the school, the media, and the government have considerably shaped my perception of climate change. Unlike when I was still young, I currently have a concrete understanding of the specific factors that contribute to climate change. The schooling experience allowed me to access multiple scholarly sources that succinctly explain how the interaction between the atmosphere and greenhouse gases results in global warming, which ultimately causes a range of climatic changes. This form of socialization has laid a firm foundation for advocating for the best practices in addressing the problem.
At the same time, my passion for the media has elevated my consciousness about the anthropogenic factor in environmental degradation and conservation. Through this medium, I have realized that, despite the government’s commitment to reducing carbon footprint in the atmosphere, more needs to be done. Contrary to what state officials want the public to believe, images media depictions suggest that little has been achieved in the fight against global warming. Industrial smoke, as well as the continued use of fossil fuel-based automobiles, indicate the ineffectiveness of government policies on energy consumption. Collectively, my personal experiences with the three modes of socialization have raised my awareness concerning the need for increased public pressure and participation in combating global warming. So far, I have acquired valuable insights that I can share with state officials as well as other critical stakeholders in an attempt to find long-lasting solutions to climate change.