The verdict is out.
After months of intense study and research, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has pronounced humans 90% guilty of causing Climate Change.
The writer’s message: Climate Change is real, and if nothing is done to stop this, serious consequences might surface in the near future.
Trapped in a time when the effects of global warming manifest at a global scale, much debate has arisen over whether Global Warming is worth fighting.
While there is no doubt that Climate Change is affecting the world, one question comes to mind: Is fighting Climate Change feasible?
One of the assumptions made, is that every country has the ability to take immediate action against climate change. However, this is not true. Developing countries, for example, lack the technology and money to make wholesale or partial conversions to cleaner energy fuels.[1] Others, often rely on their “global warming” activities, such as logging and deforestation, for the bulk of their gross domestic product.[2] Fighting climate change might only give them more social and financial problems. Considering that developing countries make up the majority of the world, fighting climate change on a global scale might be highly unfeasible.
Perhaps a novel way of viewing this issue might be to look upon fighting climate change as an economically-friendly venture. The following flowchart explains this:
After months of intense study and research, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has pronounced humans 90% guilty of causing Climate Change.
The writer’s message: Climate Change is real, and if nothing is done to stop this, serious consequences might surface in the near future.
Trapped in a time when the effects of global warming manifest at a global scale, much debate has arisen over whether Global Warming is worth fighting.
While there is no doubt that Climate Change is affecting the world, one question comes to mind: Is fighting Climate Change feasible?
One of the assumptions made, is that every country has the ability to take immediate action against climate change. However, this is not true. Developing countries, for example, lack the technology and money to make wholesale or partial conversions to cleaner energy fuels.[1] Others, often rely on their “global warming” activities, such as logging and deforestation, for the bulk of their gross domestic product.[2] Fighting climate change might only give them more social and financial problems. Considering that developing countries make up the majority of the world, fighting climate change on a global scale might be highly unfeasible.
Perhaps a novel way of viewing this issue might be to look upon fighting climate change as an economically-friendly venture. The following flowchart explains this:
Having seen the effects of Climate Change for himself, the writer understands that Climate Change is a serious issue that affects both humanity and the environment. He juxtaposes the world’s situation to that of “thin ice”, which not only refers to the melting polar ice caps, but also the precarious situation that Global Warming has put us into.Countering claims that fighting climate change hamstrings economic development, the writer ironically points out that the effects of global warming have adverse consequences on the economy, as shown in the financial crisis postulated for India in paragraph 24.[1]
The writer believes that every effort must be taken to fight climate change, no matter how small it is. By putting Climate Change in a global context, the writer reasons inductively that fighting climate change necessitates a global effort. Steps have to be taken to reduce carbon emissions by imposing laws limiting greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and searching for alternative energy sources. If countries from all over the world put worldly benefits over personal gains, and work together to fight climate change, Climate Change can be stopped.
As individuals, we too must do our part in cutting our greenhouse-gas-footprint, by practicing simple habits such as turning off unused electrical appliances, using energy-efficient appliances, taking public transport and practicing the 3Rs- recycle, reuse, and reduce.
Being a student studying Geography, my views may favour the general consensus that Global Warming is worth fighting. Having not worked in the government before, I may be unaware of the concerns and problems that governments have in the fight against global warming. My lack of knowledge in the subject also puts limitations on my understanding of the issue.
[1] “Climate Change is affecting our lives”
See article at:
http://singaporespices.blogspot.com/2007/02/climate-change-already-affects-lives.html
Section before the picture
[1]“China’s sticking to coal”- At present, China is sticking to coal despite experiencing the warmest February on record, and being the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. This is because coal accounts for 70% of its energy needs, making it financially and technologically unfeasible for China to switch to cleaner fuels.
[2] Brazil and Indonesia, for example, often engage in logging, for wood, agriculture, and cattle-ranching.
[1]“China’s sticking to coal”- At present, China is sticking to coal despite experiencing the warmest February on record, and being the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. This is because coal accounts for 70% of its energy needs, making it financially and technologically unfeasible for China to switch to cleaner fuels.
[2] Brazil and Indonesia, for example, often engage in logging, for wood, agriculture, and cattle-ranching.
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