- Move-Meant__Not-in-My-Backyard-I.mp3
- Move-Meant__Not-in-My-Backyard-I.mp4
- Move-Meant__Not-in-My-Backyard-II.mp3
- Move-Meant__Not-in-My-Backyard-II.mp4
[Verse 1]
The movement of the music
Is taking me forward
… taking me onward
Move meant
Movement
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
The movement of the people
Moving me to action
Satisfaction
Move meant
Movement
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]
[Chorus]
Jump on in
And swim
Ride the wave
To save
Our enclave
[Bridge]
Our neighbors’
Policy of destruction
Favors
Education reduction
Evolution’s
Deconstruction
Move meant
Movement
[Instrumental, Piano Solo, Bass]
[Verse 3]
Pretty much everything you do
Ruins my view
Yearn to burn and spew
Really stinks… P U
[Chorus]
Jump on in
And swim
Ride the wave
To save
Our enclave
[Bridge]
Our neighbors’
Policy of destruction
Favors
Education reduction
Evolution’s
Deconstruction
Move meant
Movement
[Outro]
Move meant
Movement
A SCIENCE NOTE
How do our neighbors’ activities influence climate change in my backyard?
The activities of your neighbors, both local and global, can significantly influence climate change in your area, affecting everything from air quality to weather patterns. Here’s how these activities contribute to climate change and impact your local environment:
Local Contributions
- Vehicle Emissions: Cars and trucks emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These emissions contribute to global warming and local air pollution, affecting respiratory health and increasing ground-level ozone.
- Residential Heating and Cooling: The use of fossil fuels for heating in winter and cooling in summer releases CO2 and other pollutants. Energy-efficient practices and the use of renewable energy can mitigate these effects.
- Land Use and Deforestation: Cutting down trees for construction or agriculture reduces carbon sequestration capacity, leading to higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Green spaces act as carbon sinks, and their reduction exacerbates climate change.
- Agricultural Practices: Use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as methane emissions from livestock, contribute to GHG emissions. Sustainable farming practices can help reduce these emissions.
Regional and Global Contributions
- Industrial Activities: Factories and power plants in neighboring regions can release large amounts of GHGs and pollutants, which can travel long distances through the atmosphere, affecting your local air quality and contributing to global warming.
- Energy Production: The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity in nearby areas increases CO2 emissions. Regional shifts towards renewable energy sources can help mitigate climate change.
- Deforestation and Land Use Changes: Large-scale deforestation in other regions, such as the Amazon rainforest, reduces the planet’s overall capacity to absorb CO2, exacerbating global warming and affecting climate patterns worldwide.
- Transboundary Pollution: Pollutants released in one area can be carried by winds and currents to other regions, impacting air and water quality far from their source. For example, industrial pollutants can cause acid rain, which affects ecosystems and agriculture.
Collective Impact and Responsibility
- Cumulative Effect: Individual actions may seem small, but collectively, they add up. The combined effect of local and regional emissions contributes significantly to global GHG levels, influencing climate change.
- Policy and Regulation: Governments and communities can adopt policies that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and conservation. These measures can help mitigate climate change and protect local environments.
Personal and Community Actions
- Reducing Carbon Footprint: By using energy-efficient appliances, reducing car travel, recycling, and supporting renewable energy, individuals can help reduce their own carbon footprint and influence others to do the same.
- Community Initiatives: Local initiatives like tree planting, creating green spaces, and promoting public transportation can have a positive impact on the local environment and contribute to global climate goals.
The activities of your neighbors, both near and far, play a crucial role in influencing climate change in your backyard. By understanding these connections, communities can work together to adopt sustainable practices and policies that mitigate climate change and protect the environment.