Around our school is Residencial San Felipe, one of the most known neighbourhoods in Lima because it was the first group of buildings constructed in Peru (it was built in the 60's). So, most of the people that live here tend to be elderly. When we asked them what they know about climate change, answers were very diverse and related to each of their experiences.
Most of elderly population here think that certainly there are some changes in our climate, thinking about Lima: they say all summers are getting more hot than the previous ones, and that winters are colder. They also think that there are more cars and that the air is not the same as 50 years ago. For example, Mr. Renato Cornejo, one of the neighbours, says that he worked for a factory that made kitchens and even thought all people worked with some paint chemicals, they had all needed security precations, but now, just walking out to Abancay avenue every day can give you lung cancer.
Also, de elderly are concerned about how they are seen in front of climate change. Mrs. Claudia Chavez says that most people think that the elderly are too old to realize the real risks about climate change and its consequences, but they are wrong: they are the most aware people because they have seen all changes through the years. It is unwise nto to consider their opinion and underestimate the support and work that cpuld be done by them.
They don't know exactly what the climate change term refers to, but understand that our city is more pollutated.
We have learnt from their example. When asking them what do they know about climate change and/or pollution, we saw concern about the environmental problems in our city and the impotence of not being able/ not being cpnsidered in the actions to reverse them. Nevertheless, they try to keep things to the best and through small concrete actions try to make their livehood a better place. Making correct disposal of garbage, not littering, using energy wisely, are some of the examples of this people's actions.
Dirty fuel contaminates the Limeans
the article mentioned that the conbustible that is sold in Lima has 100 percent more sulphur that any other
A) Emotions, feelings... all taking part in all our lives. Just like Neil Gaiman wisely representend as the endless in his comic The Sandman: dream, destiny, desire, despair, delirum, destruction and death. They will all takepart in our lives, and they trascend culture, time and space. Everyone and everywhere will succumb to this emotions. But its up to us how to face them. How, then, could we face, for example, destruction? Not with fear and reluctance, but with the conviencement that some things disappear to let some others have place in our world. How do we face despair, if we don't realice that whithin despair hope is reformed and transformed. Every problem can be a chance to show the best of our selves.
B) More than feelings we think that this are attitudes towards certain factors, in this case, trying to think about environmental responsability. Pehaps none of us has ever felt something so deep with that subject, althought we have experienced the consequences. But as young people, and aware of the problems climate change causes, we think that the most terrible attitude to have is indifference. Because knowing and doing nothing is as well as not knowing anything at all. It's not worth a life of achievements and recognition if we on't put it in practice. That lack of commitment can sometimes make us angry, specially against some policiy makers.
The whole world can listen what we have to say. This website can make it possible. Internet is one excellent opportunity to let our minds speak up and taking into our speech many comments people might have about what we said. But what to say? How to let people be more sensitive, keep aside sensible, about all environmental problems our planet has? Many representations in movies, comics, images, speeches, influent people, and so on, have started doing many action towards it, and still, is not enough.
Perhaps it is needed that we speak louder and louder all the time. Making our voices reaching every single part of the globe. Then we will do it. We have to spread the message. Maybe if we all do it at the same time some results will be shown. And all people will know that we can create a new diferent world:
What is thep point in maintening an economy model where energy resources are vulnerated? Can't people realize that in that way even your supply to make money will be lost?
What is the point in keeping a dirty environment, thinking that you will not suffer the consequences? Because you are wrong: right now, we are suffering the consecquences. Our country's glaciers are fastly melting. The poorest communities in the Andes do not have many ways to defend themseles because of the extreme cold: small children die because of it, cattle animal die because of it, thousands of crops are losts.
But of course, it may not happen in you country. Then, it may not be your problem. How could you get involved in something that you don't see, perhaps don't even feel? As an answer, could we use the historical ecological debt developed countries have with ours? or to just say "we are all humans" and remind ourselves of the most anciet evolutive connection?
We think that you should care because... it will also happen in your country, sooner or later.
Because...there might be some migrating waves to your country if this isn't stopped.
Because... it's a moral issue. It's a moment where we show our true colours. Sustainable development is as well an economic model and a moral choice. To have a better live without endangering others. And protect them.
Now it is your turn to compile the questions 5 until 8. Carefully consider the best way of posing the questions in order to gain the best possible insight into the everyday views of your partner class.
(no answer yet)
a) It's a difficult question. Since personal choices to political issues. Avoid IIWW, stopping racism, protecting the homeless, many many things we'd like to do. But we should all go bakc 100 years ago, not only us, it wouldn't be enough. Facing the newly born urban places, the power of machines and coal, labour at factories... how to face it alone? There is no right answer, but the best answer we can have. And it would be to widespread how the future will look like. Some many beautiful landscapes destroyed, animals extincted, children dieing. Speech would be our strongest intervention in the past.
b) One hundred year ago our jungle was barely explored and home of many native comunities. Due to rubber tree extraction, many of them where forced to become slaves and through pain and menaces worked long years without recieving any amount of money, don't mention being treated as humans. One hundred years ago many indigenous people in the highlands (Andes) worked in a complex system of "favors" that denigrated them and benefited the "gamonales" (like small kingdoms whithin a republic). They couldn't crop properly without paying the lord for it. One hundred years ago, and some time longer, chinesse people where bought and transported to work as slaves in guano islands and some sugar farms...
We think that one good lesson about peruvian history is that respecting the environment and respecting the people are two commited subjects, none can be achieved without the other.
Hypotecicaly, we are able to choose freely. It's just that some roads are more difficult than others and sometimes you don't get planty support to do what you plan. In that frame, young people in Perú is usually encouraged to study traditional careers, such as laws, engieneering, administration, accountability, etc. Science is a not well explored area as national budget does not direct many % to it. Nevertheless, in our classroom some want to be biologists (2 exactly), others doctors, singers/ improve their bands, and there is also the group that would become a lawyer/ engieneer/ administrator. The good thing is that they really like it, so that's important, it has not being imposed by their family.
But that's only regarding career options. There are many more things, such as the family you want to have, where you'd like to work, the improvement you'll bring to our world. For example, having a family is not our upmost. We think that it wil lhappen eventually, and depending if we find the correct person to do so. Even some girls want to have children but don't worry much for the presence of a paternal figure. Kids are a huge responsbaility and we wouldn't like to raise them up if we are not sure about the living conditions we can provide them. And, equally important, the values we'll teach them.We can't leave a damaged legacy, because in the minds of those kids would be the new proposals to protect our world.
Hopefully, many of our desicions will be respected. In economic terms, msot of us can afford a career and we are positively looking to the future, thinking that we'll be good profesionals.
But there si a factor which we cannot control: how earth will be in 20 years, when, for example, we might have our families, careers, children, etc.? Will we be able to live under hard environmental conditions? If we want a simple but so basic requirement to live, which is a place to live, then we are not in a very good direction. We need to improve this.
a. well I like to go out with my friends, sing a lot, listen music and I love travell every where.
b. b. I do that once a month. I send you a star that we make my friends and I.
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a. Watching movies. Loved Clockwork orange, Silence of the Lambs, Blue Velvet, Jules et Jim, Tacones lejanos... it's a long list. I also like to read, specially oriental poems (haiku). And playing the guitar, all the time I can.
b. b. I can do those activities quite often, it's easy to watch a movie, reading.... Perhaps not when we are in exams!.
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a. Singing up loud braking windows. My sister is a soprano for the national conservatorium and I have learnt many things from her. I don't like running but love walking long distances, specially when it rains (don't misunderstand me, its not like we have a rainy wheather, but there are soft raindrops every now and then).
b. Just often. Except from the rain part, that is usually on autumm.
Now it’s your turn to compile the questions 12 until 16. Carefully consider the best way of posing questions in order to gain the best possible insight into the everyday views and lifestyle of society around you, and what is changing.
(no answer yet)
a) The name of the place I like is "Campo de Marte" (is a really big park).I chose this place because there's a lot of green areas. Also there, all people can have fun and have a nice moment. People can go there to walk their dogs, do excersices, take their children to the playgrounds...
b) Well, the person in my country who impress me the most is Juan Diego Flores. He's a very famous tenor that has met a lot of times with Luciano Pavarotti. I chose him because he's talent and has a big and strong personality, and he's also a very recognized artist all over the world.
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a) Campo de marte is a really nice place. Is one of the biggest parks in Perú and people can go there to do anything yo want: just jogging, dancing, hanging around, watch exhibitions, taking kids to play, doing some yoga... the park is free, and you can choose what use to give.
Another great place is Lima downtown. There are many historical places to see, specially the colonial churches, the squares, and there are some street performances of folk music, also comedians, fairs, etc. It is very fun to go there.Every now and then there are some concerts, teather, exhibitions, and it's the core of some of the most important cultural activities, such as the Art Annual Exhibition, the Peruvian food biennal, etc.
b) I like Fernando Armas. He is one of the most hilarious comedians here and its admirable because he is not afraid of making jokes when trouble times are, for example, he made fun of the president we had (fujimori), later proved to be corrupt, in 2000. Humor, comedy, parodies are a good simbolic manifesto about things we might not be agreeing with.
a. yes i remember that one day when my family and all my neighbors try to help another neighbor that have been operatin, we do a bingo and a pollada, to give alll the money that all of us we collet.. and in this form we do a solidarity acction.
b. b.i think if all the people be solidarity, they must be too solidarity to take care the panet... the solidarity and the proteccion of the climatic are closely related.
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a. There was a girl that had a brain disease and needed money for the operation. The school organized a party and we raised enugh money for it. She went to USA to have this intervention and came back after 1 year of recovering. Now she is taking up classes and is doing just fine.
b. What does it mean to express solidarity with one another? We think that even thought we might not have responsabilities with something/ someone, still we can help each other. But we DO have a responsability with our environment, with our planet. So, solidarity is a terrific value that must be practiced, but with earth, we have a commitment.
Once again, it’s your turn to present the questions 19 until 23: Compile 5 additional questions, suitable for people in your partner class to use, for example, in an interview with people on the street or people they know. Questions you really want to learn more about in order to get a good overall picture of the situation in your partner class.
(no answer yet)
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