For this assignment, I would like you to consider the information you were exposed to in "An Inconvenient Truth" with President Al Gore and "The Eleventh Hour" produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, including interviews from my personal hero Thom Hartmann. Also, watch the Frontline Episode called "Heat" online and think about the issues that derailed real change and actually dealing with this problem for the last 50 years. Finally, review your chapter on Leadership in your textbook and reflect on what we discussed about types of leadership and what leader fits what type of task or situation best.
For your post, please respond to the following:
What type of leader it will take to get us out of this mess? Apply the principles of a transformational leader and analyze the three essential skills a transformational leaders must possess and explain why they are needed. What specifically does that mean a transformational leader needs to do to get people to change and stop the personal behavior and lifestyle that is killing our planet?
Start by looking at what actually needs to happen, then look at specifically what the leader needs to do to motivate the masses. The consider what does the community need to do to function as team to address this massive issue?
Your post must include citations of where you got your information in order to be graded. I will not accept posts without them.
Please post your response to this question no later than October 31st, 2008.
Posts
13 comments:
I don’t really think that there will ever be a leader who will put an end to global warming because it’s going to take more than one person to make a difference. I also don’t think that we as humans will not do anything about it until the affects are seen individually face to face. We don’t really see global warming as a threat yet, only because it’s not affecting a person individually head on, but hopefully that state-of-mind changes. As of now we are more concerned with with our economy, in hopes of not adding a sequel to the Great Depression, more than we are with the planet that gave us life and that protects us from extra terrestrial debris. Global warming is really taking its toll on our home and we can easily put and end to it by making sacrifices such as driving less or creating a car pool and also by finding ways of lighting our cities without burning fuels. These simple things can make a big difference and if you think about it, we don’t even need cars or even burn fuels to continue our existence. The human race has survived thousands of years without all the technology that we have today, so why cant we do without it now?
The term global warming is a brash understatement for the true effects that human society contributes to climate change. It attempts to summarize all the factors regarding one our planets most immense environmental and social issues, into a miniscule phenomenon. The truth is that a human society has always left it’s footprint on the planets ecological system, since our creation all the way into modernization. Our most state of the art computers, equipment, measuring instruments, coupled with the world’s most brilliant scientific minds are still researching the minute factors and culprits of global warming. However, the issue is no longer up for debate. The scientific consensus is that, recent spikes in green house gases caused the warming patterns we’ve encountered since the industrial age is due to human activity.
As a race we must turn away from neglectful mentalities which do nothing but plummet us more into these environmental tragedies. We must elect leaders and officials who will lead the frontier into rehabilitating and reforming our stance on energy use, options, and conservation. America needs leaders, who will not fund and foster skepticism; but use analysis and education, to shape new ways of thinking. We need a government who will not use gag policies to silence its pioneering thinkers. To face tomorrow’s issues today society needs revolutionary leaders who tackle multifaceted problems like global warming, via use of combined measures as scientific knowledge (analysis and research), institutions, organizations committees, people, resources and businesses. This is the way to mitigate complex problems.
Failed proposals of past decades were due to the lack of compliance with the negotiations. The idea that India and China were exempt Kyoto Treaty standards spawned worldwide resentment towards Kyoto mandates. The U.S. has never withdrawn form or brought the Kyoto treaty before congress for ratification, citing its unfair “principles”. Surely global issues should be the centerpiece of all nations, but this doesn’t insure any correlation between the terms of how each country believes a solution should be met. Our country needs to lead the world in creating comprehensive, acquiescent concerns and goals regarding climate. As society shapes these new concepts we must learn to collect, categorize/sort, analyze and test data, which will synthesize better and better solutions. Even the most profound leaders need pliable followers to delegate local bureaucracies. These sub-leaders would be heads of individual entities like institutions, organizations committees businesses who, would function as a single unit to address issues. You can think of this as social synergy.
The bottom line is that CO2 emission taxes and other current energy saving endeavors are only the tip of the iceberg. The real solutions will depend largely on the leadership decisions we make. Real results will come from new theory, politics and practice within our energy policies. It would be better to deal with a transforming world, using a similar quality of leadership.
By: Jarrell Easley
Emmanuel Achilefu
Global warming and the climate change is something we all contribute to in a negative way but can all begin to contribute to in a positive way. An understanding of what global warming is and why it is happening is the first step towards making a positive difference in the world today. Yes it is happening and the earth is already starting to show serious signs of global warming. Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit around the world since 1880; a great deal of this increase has been within the past few decades. This is not the only evidence that the earth is changing but it is solid evidence that cannot be ignored any longer.
Through the eyes of most scientists, global warming is seen as a very serious and severe threat. The actions taken by humans, such as industry and consumption of fossil fuels plus the increase in population and agriculture have played a big part in global warming. If something is not done soon the results could be very bad.
People are doing many things to try to stop global warming. One thing people are doing is carpooling. Carpooling is driving with someone to a place that you are both going to. This minimizes the amount of greenhouse gases put into the air by a car.
Another thing that people are doing is being more careful about leaving things turned on like the television, computer, and the lights. A lot of people are taking time away from the television, and instead, they are spending more time outdoors. This helps our planet out a lot. Now, more people are even riding busses, walking to school, and riding their bikes to lower the amount of greenhouse gases in the air. Planting trees and recycling also helps. If you recycle, less trash goes to the dump, and less trash gets burned. As a result, there are fewer greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere.
Watch what you buy. Many things, such as hairspray and deodorant, now are made to have less of an impact on the atmosphere. Less greenhouse gasses will rise into the air, and global warming will slow down.
Christian Hernandez
Mrs.C
Group Dynamics
There are a lot of things that need to change if we are to stand a chance at surviving on this planet. The first and most important thing is we all need to accept the fact that we need to give up our dependence on oil and coal. You can’t have one or the other they both have to go. Second we have to get rid of these money and power hungry CEO’s inside all the polluting centers of the world, because with out removing them nothing will change no matter what we try to do. Also we need to start to pressure our government even more on renewable energy resources. Get them to force the car companies to make more fuel efficient cars or to eliminate the gas factor from the cars completely. But to do all these things will take a strong leader one that is not afraid to challenge the big oil and coal typhoons, one that will do all that he/she can to change our way of life on this world, but sadly I think that is just a dream right now because there is no one like that out there right now.
With the two candidates that are running right now we will not get the drastic change that we need right now. We might get some change but it will be very little I don’t believe that either candidate has what it takes to really try and solve this crisis. I mean this presidents to be change there views on how to solve this crisis as often as I change my under wear (not to say I don’t change it often but you know what I mean). We need leaders like Abraham Lincoln and the great John Fitzgerald Kennedy again, now they new what it meant to be a leader. They both challenged the norms and beliefs of the people of there times, they both were able to unite almost everyone to share the same visions they did, they both believe that they could achieve a goal that in there times was thought to be a impossible act. You may ask what I mean buy an impossible act. Let’s start with Abraham Lincoln he wanted to abolish slavery which was something many people did not want and thought was never going to happen but that did not stop him he went forth with his plan and succeeded. Now John Fitzgerald Kennedy now he was a believer and for many people in the 60’s a little insane why because he believed the impossible what most people at the time only dreamt about he believed that we could put a man on the moon and unfortunately he did not get to see his dream become a reality but it did. It is that kind of, I guess you could say radical leader that we will need if we are to solve this crisis, someone that will say, “this is what needs to happen, this is what is going to happen, and this is how its going to happen no if, ands, or buts about it”
Since I think it will be a while be for we have a leader like that we as a community need to get to greater and try to fight this as best and as quickly as we can. We need to set aside our differences, and our stupid self interest’s that just keep us from achieving things as a team. By getting rid of our selfish needs who knows what amazing things we can accomplish as a team we might not even need a leader to take us forwarded and I think this might have to happen a lot sooner then people think.
What comes to mind when you hear the term global warming? The majority of people will say its caused by all the people we have driving, the carbon monoxide that comes out of our tail pipes is what is causing it. Although the vast majority of us never take into consideration other factors that also contribute green house gasses that are causing global warming. One of the main contributors is livestock farming. Live stock farming, with its steer feedlots and factory buildings crammed with pigs and chickens produce immense amounts of animal wastes, which produce methane. Methane isn’t only another greenhouse gas but in comparison to carbon monoxide, it is twenty three times more potent. Believe it or not livestock farming contributes nearly one-fifth of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, more than the transportation sector, according to a 2006 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. With that said if we, as individuals, would cut down the consumption of meat products to one or even two servings a day it would have a greater impact on the green house gases we contribute than getting rid of our 4X4 gas guzzling SUV’s.
As a nation we have to realize that we have the biggest impact on global warming than any other country. More importantly we have to realize that as individuals we can make a change. I am not saying we should all become vegetarians, no, but cut down on our meat consumption and fast food dinning. By eating more home cooked meals instead of fast food, you won’t only be eating healthier but also helping generate less greenhouse gasses. Since about fifty percent of produced meat goes to fast food restaurants.
Are we willing to lose our home instead of giving up one or two servings a meat a day?
By Danny Ramos
There are solutions to global warming presented to us today and its past due time we put them to use. These solutions will reduce the amount of heat trapping gases that we release into the atmosphere. There is ways of reducing the amount of fossil fuels we utilize to power our vehicles and generate our electricity, and protecting threatened forests, which store carbon in their biomass.
We produce by far the most greenhouse gases on the planet, and the best way to get others in line is to be the leading example. Finding a transformational leader that can create a greater commitment through shared values in addition to participation of individuals will be the hardest task at hand. Sadly we are not all on the same page with global warming currently happening, despite the facts. In addition, it’s difficult to acquire individuals to accept new values just because the leader tells them to do so. The problem with global warming is becoming rather complex for just a small percentage of the world to change it. These things need to be implemented all over the world. I want to believe that we will have a leader with in the next few years that will do the things that need to be done in order to bring to a halt global warming. The problem is that I do not have much faith in man kind. It seems that individuals constantly wait till it’s too late to implement the changes. We tend to avoid problems unless they benefit financially or in some personal way avoiding the bigger problems that are far more important. These problems require re thinking of the organizations structure, values and culture.
We all need to implement a series of wide-reaching changes rapidly and begin to pressure other countries to follow suit. These changes can start off small for example:
Increase our research into more efficient bio-fuels, and increasing use of existing efficient sources
Increase energy efficiency of household appliances, including lighting and computers unplugging things from outlets.
Drastically improve fuel economy of the driving fleet, as well as reduce the number of miles driven
Increase efficiency and use of renewable energy sources.
Increase research into hydrogen power
Replace coal facilities with nuclear and natural gas
Improve coal technology to reduce both pollutants and emissions
Stop net deforestation, and try to reforest when possible.
These changes are by no means unreasonable and should be implemented immediately.
References:
http://www.strategosinc.com/leadership_transformational.htm
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/208338,czech-president-klaus-ready-to-debate-gore-on-climate-change.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Ana De La TOrre
There are many pressing issues affecting global climate currently. Global warming has definitely become a cause for concern in recent years. In order to try and solve the issue, we need leaders to stand up and take a stand in the matter.
We currently live in a country that, no matter how you look at it, depends on foreign oil and currency in this day & age you really have to ask, “How can you argue with not being oil and energy dependent?” This of course means that tremendous amount of energy and waste is created in order to sustain this culture, leading to dangerous side effects. Global warming being at the forefront.
A stunning fact I recently looked up is World Book encyclopedia, published in 1990, describes the last six years (1984-1990) as the hottest on record. And of course in the recent documentary “An inconvenient truth” ex. Vice president of the United States, Al Gore, describes the hottest year on earth as 2005.
In order to tackle this real serious situation head on we need leadership. Not just any ordinary leadership…….we need transformational leadership. This term, can be described as a leadership that aims at changing an organization by realigning its culture around a new vision. Al Gore and Barack Obama come to mind when we think of the needed traits. They have idealized leadership, have great inspirational motivation and individual consideration. That and you add intellectual stimulation and we have prime examples of individuals which we could count on at least attempting to address the ever pressing issue of global warming.
Global Warming, man I think that is an ugly phrase, how much longer are we going to take, burning coal dumping more trash into the ocean, destroying the rain forest, are all examples of global warming.Global Warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the earth's near-surface air and oceans'. And what is so sad is that it is all our faults, yes you and me.If I had to pick an leader to fix all this mess it would be an democratic , it seems he would be more effective as the other 2.What I like about the democratic leadership type is he will get an second opinion to help resolve the problem. But he would only just get the ball rolling, it would take the community as a whole to stop this mess. |Such as spreading the news about recycling, driving less , not using the A.C. and heater as much, that would be helping mother earth and our wallets.But another challenge we have to face is getting people off there asses and doing something. There is alot of people that just don't care what happens to our earth.Especiallly in America, people take so much for granted and destroying creation as we speak.People are afraid of change, until they lose everything they have, because of all the crap they dumped into our air and seas, and we're living in a vast wasteland,then they will realize what we have done and by that time it will be too late. Our leader should encourage change and hope for a better world, he/she should show pictures of total destruction and say underneath, "This is what we are going to live in , If we dont start doing something about it".Hopefully that will have people start thinking the next time they litter.
Global warming is no longer a myth. More and more people are aware of its effects and how to help stop it, but we still fail at doing it and completely ignore its facts. We are too busy trying to survive in this hectic society, trapped in a rat race. We are pushed around and bullied by our government and big corporations, living under their rules.
For us to beat global warming, we need to eliminate our social problems, the fear of unemployment, fear of debt, fear of health issues and many others. For many, global warming is not serious enough to be included in this list. An ideal leader would have to first address these social issues by creating more secure jobs and restructuring the credit market. In this way, we would increase incentives for those who save more and spend less. We would also need to educate and guide people in their financial decisions, provide an affordable and reliable health care system, and rebuild confidence in our government: A government that will channel the changes requiring greater attention.
A leader must understand the differences and needs of each nation and assume their priorities accordingly, since time is still our friend before it turns into our enemy. It’s necessary to change the values of a society that lives by managing their problems, into a society that can prevents them, since global warming is not a matter that can be put aside. His words must be powerful enough to create and encourage change.
“The good news is we know what to do. The good news is, we have everything we need now to respond to the challenge of global warming. We have all the technologies we need, more are being developed, and as they become available and become more affordable when produced in scale, they will make it easier to respond. But we should not wait, we cannot wait, we must not wait.” (Al Gore, speech at National Sierra Club Convention, Sept. 9, 2005.)
References:
http://www.notable-quotes.com/g/global_warming_quotes.html
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/gore-lecture_en.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warning
John K. Bacchus
A transformational leader would be best suited for this problem. They would have to encourage people to start thinking more about the planet rather than themselves. A transformational leader has to share his/her vision of a world that doesn’t have to suffer because of humans. Of course that’s easier said than done. We joke about global warming in TV broadcasts and internet articles, but the truth is there. We can try to hide it as much as we want, but the evidence is clear. The leader would also need good supportive communication skills, because they would need to identify and challenge assumptions without creating defensiveness. The leader would need the characteristic of systems thinking. They would have to understand how to encourage people to change their ways and views about Global warming. Also they need to have some charismatic. You wouldn’t listen to someone you hated right? This person would need to show the community the big picture. How something simple as buying a different kind of light bulb or unplugging your electronics will help for our future. Transformational leaders are there to transform. Help build a better tomorrow. Only time will tell if ignorant people will begin to listen.
Sources :
p.325-326 Communicating in Small Groups : Principals and Practices
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/styles/transformational_leadership.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/Transformational_leadership
Somewhere on earth birds fly filling the air with their songs. Animals roam freely through the trees in the forest that seem to dance with the breeze that goes through them. Crystal clear lakes, water springs, waterfalls and rivers that cut through the valleys. The mountain peaks covered with snow and their hills covered with Mother Nature’s green carpet of vegetation. And let’s not forget our deep blue oceans that are filled with its wonders and beauty. All of these things that most of us take for granted are slowly disappearing because of global warming. A problem that we have created, but now need to find a solution to stop it.
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution we the human race have been burning fossil fuels to power our way of living, and up to this day we have been relying on them to survive. Now we face a difficult problem, global warming and its effects on earth. But now that we are at this pivotal moment we need to ask ourselves, what do we do to stop this? Unfortunately we live in a world that revolves on money and greed, and the oil and coal industries are the most profitable and the main sources for energy in the world. Not to mention that our leaders are also part of these industries and their lust for money blind them to what really is going on. So what type of leader do we need to help us with global warming? Well I want to say someone that is not greedy, but let’s face it we all have a little bit of greed in us. First of all I think we need a leader that inspires hope and unity. Make everyone see that this problem doesn’t just affect the poor and medium class but the rich as well, that we need to come together as one to solve the problem. Also show everyone that there are clean energy technologies out there for us to use. We are in an age where technology has come a long way and that we need to stop using the old and start using the new. Another thing our leaders should be able to do is, not to choose a side but to bring sides together, put everyone in the same page. There are many groups out there that have different views and ideas about problems that need to be solved. That causes confusion among the people and creates more problems. People tend to say no to anything they don’t understand. Lastly I think our leaders need to make the people believe that we can solve the problem. Belief is a strong emotion and it can give the people high levels of commitment and achievement and thus push them to accomplish their goals.
All of these things our leaders can’t do alone we have to put in our five cents too. So we need to stop for a moment and think what it is we are going to do. The canary in a coal mine is a popular expression being used today alongside global warming. We like the canary in the cage know that something is wrong but keep singing and living our lives normally. Do we act now and inherit a clean planet to our future generations or do we wait for the canary to die and leave them behind in a hot and slowly dying planet? It’s up to us.
Charlie Marquez
11-21-08
Group Dynamics
Ms. Chauser
Environmental Issues
Global warming has been a factor over the past couple of decades and its threat continues to grow stronger affecting the Earth. It has been reported by the World Health Organization that about “54,000 people die every year because of the effects of global warming, which produces malaria to malnutrition”. (ecobridge.org) I never realized and actually cared about the global warming issue until the day I watched the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” with former runner up president Al Gore. Not only did he provided me with stats but he provided me with visual pictures and the truth of whats happening in the world today. There is no right leader for this kind of situation. No one man or woman by itself can help change the global warming issue. What we need to do is put effort and actually care of what is going on in the present before we have no future ahead of us. I have changed the lighting at my house as well as my grandmothers. I also have reduced eating out fast food also eating less red meat. Global warming is the biggest threat this country as well as the rest of the world could possibly ever have. It is a threat to our human extinction, it also threatens our climate, our species, and I believe one of the most fearful ones such as heat waves and floods all over the world. Our atmosphere would only take so much from the sun and things arent looking so good since most of our icebergs are melting all around the world, and all the extra water has nowhere else to go but upon our land. I have opened my eyes and I have also been telling friends and family to take this into consideration and care not only for their loved ones but also for mother nature, because without her then we have nothing else to live for.
Resources:
Ecobridge.org
An Inconvenient Truth/ Al Gore
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