Posts

Showing posts from April, 2025

Effect of Climate change on society, culture, and gender

Image
Climate change affects everyone, but it hits marginalized groups—like women and the poor—harder. In Bhutan, rural women often fetch water and grow crops. When there’s less rain or when floods damage fields, their work becomes harder. For example, in parts of southern Bhutan, floods have damaged farms, leaving women with less food and income. During landslides or disasters, families may have to move, and women and children can be more at risk of harm or lack of support. Climate change makes these problems worse, so it's important to include women and vulnerable groups in planning for climate solutions. Climate change has a significant impact on society, especially by making underprivileged people more vulnerable. For example, climate-related issues like droughts and floods, which can result in shortages of food and water, frequently place the greatest burden on women living in rural regions. Women are mostly in charge of gathering water in nations like Ethiopia, and during dry sp...

Climate Change- Migration and Culture

Image
Economic concerns including decreased agricultural output and loss of livelihoods are the main drivers of climate change migration, which uproots rural people. Sea level rise, for instance, can flood coastal fields, displacing families, and unpredictable rainfall can interfere with agricultural cycles, making it hard for households to make ends meet. Because there is less demand for products and services when there are fewer people living there, this exodus frequently leaves homes empty and changes local marketplaces. Furthermore, when groups adjust to their new surroundings, shifting weather patterns may cause population shifts that have an effect on cultural dynamics. Decreased Crop Yields: Droughts and floods brought on by climate change result in decreased crop yields and force farmers to relocate. Empty Households: As a result of migration, many rural areas may have empty homes, which can have an impact on local communities. Market Changes: As fewer people live there, there ma...

Examples of Gender and Environment

1. Chemicals and Pollution Example: Increased temperatures can lead to higher levels of air pollution, as heat can cause chemical reactions that create smog. For instance, cities like Los Angeles often experience worse air quality during heatwaves, which can harm public health. 2. Waste Management Example: Climate change can lead to more extreme weather events, like heavy rains and floods, which can overwhelm waste management systems. In places like New Orleans, flooding can cause waste to spread, leading to health hazards and environmental contamination. 3. Water Example: Changing rainfall patterns can lead to water scarcity in some regions. For instance, in parts of Africa, prolonged droughts reduce water availability for drinking and farming, forcing communities to compete for limited resources. 4. Energy Example: Climate change affects energy production, especially from renewable sources. For example, reduced snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains can decrease water flow for hydr...

Gender and Environment

Image
Water Gathering: Women are typically in charge of gathering water in various civilizations. Women are forced to travel further when water shortages brought on by climate change increase their workload and carbon impact. Food Production: In rural places, women typically grow the majority of the food. Crop damage from climate change might make it more difficult for them to support their family and result in food insecurity. Sustainable Practices: Although women are more likely than males to embrace eco-friendly behaviors, their influence may be diminished by traditional roles that restrict their access to resources and decision-making authority. Disaster Response: During environmental disasters, women are commonly in charge of recovery efforts; nevertheless, their demands may be overlooked because they are usually left out of planning and decision-making processes. Political Participation: Gender equality can enhance sustainability, as evidenced by the superior environmental policies ...

Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Climate discourse

Image
  In scientific measure- due to human settlement or density of population, population increase in an area which try to adapt new technology which are quantifiable methods taken to address those issues.  1. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Climate Discourse Indigenous and local populations' long-standing customs and perceptions of their surroundings are referred to as traditional ecological knowledge. TEK incorporates, in contrast to contemporary scientific discourse. From a spiritual, cultural, and cosmological standpoint, nature is revered rather than being viewed as a resource. For instance, mountains, rivers, and forests are highly valued in Bhutan and Ladakh. Relational worldview: People are not above nature, but rather a part of it. This contrasts with postmodernist environmental theory's mechanical perspective, which views nature as something that needs to be controlled or altered. TEK adds to the conversation about climate change by: Putting an emphasis o...

Examples of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

  1/ Time and Stone - Ancestors used stones, particularly in the form of sundials, to predict time by observing the shadows cast by the sun. A sundial consists of a flat surface (the dial) and a vertical stick or stone (the gnomon) that casts a shadow. As the sun moves across the sky, the shadow shifts, indicating the time of day based on its position on the dial. This method not only served practical purposes for daily activities and agriculture but also reflected a deep cultural and spiritual connection to nature, as it demonstrated an understanding of natural cycles and the environment. 2/Forest(abode of deity) - Sacred forests, often regarded as abodes of deities, play a crucial role in environmental protection by embodying cultural and spiritual beliefs that promote conservation. These forests are preserved through community practices and reverence, reflecting a deep connection between spirituality and ecological stewardship.   3/Landscapes spirits - landscape spirits can...

Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Image
           The knowledge and perceptions that Indigenous groups have accumulated about their local surroundings over many generations are referred to as Indigenous and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). This knowledge includes a comprehensive perspective of the world that incorporates cultural, spiritual, and practical aspects and is frequently based on a strong connection to the land, plants, animals, and ecosystems. TEK is essential to maintaining the ecosystem and the welfare of rural populations in Bhutan, a nation renowned for its abundant biodiversity and dedication to Gross National Happiness. Bhutan's Indigenous Communities Numerous Indigenous populations with distinctive cultural customs, languages, and ecological knowledge may be found in Bhutan.  For ages, these societies have coexisted peacefully with their environment, gaining a deep awareness of regional ecosystems. For example, the Monpas and Sharchops, two communities in eas...

Himalayan Buddhism as Human Geological Agency

Image
 Rethinking the Novelty of "the Anthropocene" Reflecting on the Innovation of "the Anthropocene" Casts doubt on the notion that the Anthropocene is a wholly novel era. Argues that although there is no denying that humans have an impact on the environment, this influence is not wholly new; human societies have long shaped environmental changes. Impact on Human History: Through industrialization, agriculture, and other human-environment interactions, civilizations have changed landscapes for ages. For instance, terraced fields and sustainable agriculture in Bhutan are examples of traditional farming methods that have influenced the country's landscape for many generations. These practices represent a long history of human engagement with the environment. Environmental Ethics and Buddhism: Buddhism's core values of charity, compassion, and non-harming can direct moral environmental behavior. For instance, Bhutan's Gross National Happiness ledge places a ...

The Giving Environment hunter gathers

Image
  "The Giving Environment" by Nurit Bird-David Cultural Environmental Metaphors: Collective Insurance Against Natural Fluctuations: Gatherer-hunters, such as the Nayaka, have a system of sharing that serves as a kind of collective insurance against environmental uncertainties. For instance, the Nayaka see their environment as a parent that provides food, which fosters a culture of sharing without expecting immediate reciprocity. The idea that gatherer-hunters are different from agricultural societies is called into question because they frequently have financial relationships with farming neighbors and may even cultivate themselves. For instance, the Nayaka occasionally engage in sporadic cultivation and have close relationships with agricultural communities. Cultural Environmental Metaphors: The metaphor "forest is parent," which the Nayaka use to describe their surroundings, influences both their social and economic connections. Agricultural societies like as the...