Combating Climate Change & Poverty
Climate Change and Poverty Alliance (CCPA)
Proposal
Background
Rationale
Action Plan
Analysis
Structural functional problems arise due to deficient people, rapid change, or dysfunctions. Climate change is a result of human deficiency - using fossil fuels because it's easier/faster than using renewable energy - and rapid change in the environment. The Amazon Rainforest and surrounding ecosystems has seen more destruction in the past 10 years than in any other decade (Butler). It is up to the human race to stop this destruction and try to fix the problems their deficiency has caused.
Social conflict problems occur when classes, races, or genders become unequal. Poverty is an example of how social classes divide. As previously stated, about 15% of the U.S. population lives in poverty. The division in classes continues to grow as the income gap steadily expands. In order to reverse this class division, the United States needs to take action to reduce the income gap and provide low-income families with the proper means to survive.
Furthermore, the CCPA's views receive more support from liberals than conservatives. Conservatives believe that the government needs to step back and let the problems work themselves out. Climate change can not just "work itself out". Poverty can not just "work itself out". Climate change and poverty are two problems caused by the actions of humans. It is up to humans to react in order reverse what they have done. Liberals hope for sweeping change in society. The only way to see this change is if the government steps in and helps take responsibility for these problems. In order to reverse the effects of poverty and climate change, society needs help from the government.