Essay Example on Ecological Grief: Science Journalists Examine Climate Change

Introduction

The first article, "Ecological grief" is written by Gemma Conroy, a science journalist located in Sydney, Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from Macquarie University. She covers all things related to science, from giant tube worms to quantum entanglement (Hakai Magazine, n.d.). The second article "Debating the bedrock of climate-change" is by Kevin Anderson and Jessica Jewell. Kevin Anderson is a science and technology writer who is at the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research, Manchester M13 9PL, UK, University of Manchester, and School of Engineering. He is also at the center of the Centre of Environment and Development Studies (CEMUS), Uppsala University, Sweden. Jessica Jewell works at the Chalmers University of Technology as an assistant professor. The focus of her research is on finding politically-feasible solutions to climate and energy changes.

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Summary of Articles

Ecological grief

In the article, the "Ecological grief" Conroy (2019) has demonstrated that the analysis of ecosystems impacted by change in the climate takes an emotional toll on scholars. In the introduction, the author argues that many academics were astonished when the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, which is the globe's largest coral-reef system was affected by epic marine heatwaves in 2016 and 2017 that bleached two-thirds of it. Further on, the author explains that these repeated bleaching events prompted the mass loss of the reef's coral cover, which resulted in a vivid alteration in its species configuration. Scholars are currently analyzing the new formations of species that have formed as a consequence of human influences. Studies have demonstrated that many people feel lost because of environmental resulting from global warming, a phenomenon referred to as "ecological grief." Conroy concludes that as climate change intensifies, many people will be exposed to ecological loss; thus, there is the need for a better knowledge of how the public and scientists can uphold their health in the face of these trials.

Debating the bedrock of climate-change

Conversely, in the article "Debating the bedrock of climate-change," Anderson and Jewell (2019) point out that policymakers and scholars depend on computer simulations referred to as integrated assessment model to decide on the best approaches for tackling climate change. The authors emphasize that the change in climate, comprising an augmented risk of extreme weather events and global warming, is one of the greatest threat facing humanity in the present day. It is a complex issue that encompasses numerous physical, technological, and social processes. As a result, scientists developed integrated assessment models (IAMs), which is a computer simulation that describes the intricate association between these processes.

According to some scientists, the IAMs are no longer fit for purpose and attaining climate goals calls for a radical reinvention industrial society that the technology is not equipped to address. Others are of the view that a model is an indispensable tool for attaining climate targets and is a vital building block for comprehending the feasibility of these objectives. Anderson and Jewell conclude that there is need to complement IAMs with other fields of knowledge; the reason for this is that although they are indispensable in informing what is needed to meet climate targets, scientists need other disciplines to understand the solutions that are feasible.

Critique of the Articles

Ecological grief

In the article, the "Ecological grief," it is evident that Conroy (2019) is presenting good science and not just opinion. The author has achieved this by trying and using the scientific method, which has enabled him to precisely and systematically form an explanatory hypothesis that people could grieve the degradation or disappearance of a landscape or species and the future damages of an ecosystem. Eventually, the scientific method has allowed the author to get closer to the truth (Greenfield & Greener, 2016). The truth, in this regard, is that environmental degradation, resulting from global warming leads to "ecological grief." In essence, this can be considered as truth because the author has provided evidence, tested through experimentation that many scientists feel intense sadness and grief concerning the deterioration of reefs.

In her research, Conroy (2019) has supported the conclusions with fact mainly from primary sources. Arguably, this entailed gaining first-hand and immediate account of "ecologic grief" from individuals who had a direct connection with it. The scholar has offered more accurate and reliable information through an interview (O'Donnell, 2017). The scholar interviewed people working on the reef, including scientists to examine their reaction to the catastrophe driven by climate change. Consequently, Conroy has presented evidence to support the conclusion based on the results of his experiments. The author is also a recognized expert due to her ability and extensive knowledge based on occupation, experience, and research on science.

Debating the bedrock of climate-change

In the study, "Debating the bedrock of climate-change," Anderson and Jewell (2019) have presented good science and not just opinion. The article does more than only presenting a chronological description of the research work. Instead, the authors have convinced the readers that the analysis presented is relevant, valid, and important to other scientists in the same field (Greenfield & Greener, 2016). They have attained this end by emphasizing both the motivation for the investigation and the outcome of it, and they have incorporated enough evidence to establish the validity of the results. The authors have also tried and used the scientific method. They have achieved this by following the basic principles that guide scientists, including openness, objectivity, honesty, collegiality, and respect for the integrity of knowledge. The mentioned principles have influenced the communication of the scientific information and knowledge as well as acquisition and sharing of data.

By collecting evidence derived from a myriad of sources and evaluating the results, Anderson and Jewell have efficiently supported the conclusions with facts. The authors have achieved this by using secondary sources regarding how scientists offer opposing points of view on the sustainability of IAMs. The body of knowledge regarding these perceptions are so extensive (O'Donnell, 2017). Thus a comprehensive review based on secondary data offered the best available knowledge that allowed the scholars to practical conclusions with evidence. Anderson and Jewell are recognized expert mainly due to their intense and prolonged experience through education and practice in climate and energy transformations.

Questions

The articles "Debating the bedrock of climate change" and "Ecological grief" have presented scientific evidence that demonstrates that widespread and major climate changes have transpired with startling speed. As such, the topics of the articles affect the Earth as a whole by answering the following research questions: what evidence are available that climate change is occurring? And what can likely cause climate change and global warming? Despite the numerous signs of changes to the climate, global dimming, and global warming, some will still not accept that something ominous is occurring. Thus, the articles are related to my life since they serve as a positive contribution to the mentioned problem by putting the whole idea of climate change in perspective.

References

Anderson, K., & Jewell, J. (2019, September 16). Debating the bedrock of climate-change mitigation scenarios. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02744-9

Conroy, G. (2019, September 13). 'Ecological grief' grips scientists witnessing Great Barrier Reef's decline. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02656-8.

Greenfield, T., & Greener, S. (2016). Research methods for postgraduates. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons.

O'Donnell, M. A. (2017). Aphra Behn: An annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources. London: Routledge.