Problem & solution
Global warming is an international issue that governments around the world are concerned about; simply put, it is an increase in the average temperature of earth caused mainly by the discharge of greenhouse gases. The negative effects of global warming are many, including an increase in floods, cyclones, thunderstorms; because of these climatic changes many species are becoming extinct, glaciers are melting and sea levels are rising; global warming is also causing the extinction of some species and ecological imbalance due to climatic changes.
The most commonly suggested solutions include conservation of energy, saving water sources, using wind energy and plantation of trees. Environmentalists believe that many small efforts will add to the attempt of limiting global warming. For this purpose, different sources of energy have been suggested and enviro-friendly hybrid cars and other technologies have been introduced. However, these efforts may not work unless the problem of global warming is recognized by the whole world. There seem to be two sides to this problem; on the one hand, some believe that there is no problem at all; Bjorn Lomborg, in his book, ' The Skeptical Environmentalist' believes that natural resources are not declining, food production has increased and animals are not becoming extinct on a large scale; he believes that only 0.7% of species may become extinct. He says that environmentalists are making up problems that do not exist; some skeptics even think that global warming will actually help in increasing humidity in tropical deserts. On the other hand, a large number of environmentalists believe that global warming is an increasingly dangerous threat or even the most dangerous one.
In my opinion, it is important for the world to confirm whether global warming is a problem or not. Combined efforts are important in order to limit global warming; unless it is confirmed that the phenomenon is dangerous, people will not make a sincere effort; it is necessary for the world as a whole to recognize the problem and work towards limiting it; the efforts of a few will not help much; nevertheless, they do count. I think that any effort will make at least a small difference, and it is not one person's responsibility; all citizens of the world are responsible for making the world better.
Bibliography
Bjorn Lomborg, "The Skeptical Environmentalist", Cambridge University press, England, 2001.
Nicholas Herbert Stern,"The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review", Nicholas, 2007.
httwww.globalwarming.org.in/global-warming-skeptics.php
http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/p://
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Cool City
Advancement and progress in the world has been remarkable. However the world is paying a cost for this progress in terms of too much carbon dioxide emissions.
Our earth can no longer bear this pressure and we cannot arrange another earth. To solve this problem we need to reduce emission of carbon dioxide by half.
One of the most developed countries Japan has shown us the way. On the one hand it has increased its GDP and it has reduced the oil consumption. It has made progress by reducing the carbon emission.
Around 90% of CO2 comes from buildings and transportation.
Cool city is a project planned by a Japanese company SDCJ that is not only environmentally friendly but also more energy efficient and it emits less of carbon dioxide.
The whole city is divided into three zones namely commercial, cultural and residential.
Three types of transport will be used namely monorail, water taxis and hybrid cars.
Tree planting, waterways and roof membranes are the techniques for reducing heat.
With cool city it is expected that Co2 emissions will reduce up to 30% for eco-residences and 50% for eco-towers. However, it is believed that there will be up to 60% total reduction in carbon dioxide.
The cool city is a wonderful idea. But the doubt is that such a city can be in the reach of the entire population. To live in such a city people will have to change a lot to survive in this city. Will they change their customs and traditions?
Our earth can no longer bear this pressure and we cannot arrange another earth. To solve this problem we need to reduce emission of carbon dioxide by half.
One of the most developed countries Japan has shown us the way. On the one hand it has increased its GDP and it has reduced the oil consumption. It has made progress by reducing the carbon emission.
Around 90% of CO2 comes from buildings and transportation.
Cool city is a project planned by a Japanese company SDCJ that is not only environmentally friendly but also more energy efficient and it emits less of carbon dioxide.
The whole city is divided into three zones namely commercial, cultural and residential.
Three types of transport will be used namely monorail, water taxis and hybrid cars.
Tree planting, waterways and roof membranes are the techniques for reducing heat.
With cool city it is expected that Co2 emissions will reduce up to 30% for eco-residences and 50% for eco-towers. However, it is believed that there will be up to 60% total reduction in carbon dioxide.
The cool city is a wonderful idea. But the doubt is that such a city can be in the reach of the entire population. To live in such a city people will have to change a lot to survive in this city. Will they change their customs and traditions?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
How Europe can save the world
Ø PART 1
Summary
The essay describes the different issues of global warming that are common today and gives brief information about what the European Union aims to do, to reduce and control global warming. It is common knowledge to the majority of the nations in the world that global warming has gradually become a major issue in the development of the world, but even then they are unwilling to take action in these fields. Why? Because such a step requires great infrastructure costs; other barriers are as mentioned, costlier methods of energy instead of the common cheap fossil fuels and more than everything else is the unwillingness to lead while others are engaged in more profitable tasks. This tendency is described as "after you" syndrome. The European Union aims to cure this syndrome by taking the first step and promoting the rest of the world to act. It has set different targets for its members regarding renewable and nuclear sources, and then looks for support from the rest of the
world. If supported, the E.U. also assures to further add another 10% target for itself.
Ø PART 2
main idea
The article gives the basic idea of the decreasing energy sources and the impact of fossil fuels on the world climate over the years. It shows the cooperation and willingness of the Europeancountries to come together for such causes. It also explains the targets that the E.U.has set for itself and the methods that it might adopt to achieve them. It warns us to realise and act before it’s too late.
Ø PART 3
a) What do you think?
I personally think that global warming is a major problem and deserves consideration and I think a step by any nation or group of nations is a role model for others to follow. Recessions, wars, natural calamities, terrorist attacks are given more importance while global warming,pollution, deforestation are neglected. I think this article proves the importance of such issues.
b) Give your opinion about the article.
I liked the article and also its message. It gave details of what the E.U. aims to do and how, which
countries are involved and to what extent. It also explained why others don’t act. But the article didn’t describe the actual problem of global warming, its causes, the steps taken by other nations, and it was only about the E.U. and its agenda. The article should have contained steps taken by environmental organisations, measures for households etc.
c) What more do you know or want to learn about this topic?
I have already studied about global warming and its causes in environmental studies, and through this article I have come to know of the E.U. which has taken a major step to control it. What I would like to know more is the steps that have been taken or planned in the past, the environmental organisation setup for this problem, the measures suggested for the common man and consumer.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
My Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by individuals, organizations, event or products. An individual, nation or organization is footprint is measured by taking an emissions test. After undertaking the test and achieving a score; a strategy can be used to reduce the carbon footprint.
I measured my carbon footprint at http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ and it was 3.09 planets.
I see my carbon footprint as average, because some of my classmates had very high carbon footprints and some had very low carbon footprints. The UAE has the highest carbon footprint per capita therefore I believe I scored very well according to the rest of the population.
We can reduce our carbon footprint in many different ways. When it comes to lighting for example we can use solar energy light bulbs; that way we would not have to rely on any electricity which will reduce our carbon footprint greatly. Another way to reduce lighting is to use light bulbs which work with automatic sensors; those light bulbs reduce the light gradually according to what time of the day it is. We can also reduce our carbon footprint by regularly monitoring the gas emissions which are produced by our cars; another way to reduce our carbon footprint is to use cars which are more pollution-friendly. Most car manufactures today aim to produce cars which don’t emit many gasses, therefore we should aim to purchase those vehicles instead of getting ones which are not as pollution-friendly.
I measured my carbon footprint at http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ and it was 3.09 planets.
I see my carbon footprint as average, because some of my classmates had very high carbon footprints and some had very low carbon footprints. The UAE has the highest carbon footprint per capita therefore I believe I scored very well according to the rest of the population.
We can reduce our carbon footprint in many different ways. When it comes to lighting for example we can use solar energy light bulbs; that way we would not have to rely on any electricity which will reduce our carbon footprint greatly. Another way to reduce lighting is to use light bulbs which work with automatic sensors; those light bulbs reduce the light gradually according to what time of the day it is. We can also reduce our carbon footprint by regularly monitoring the gas emissions which are produced by our cars; another way to reduce our carbon footprint is to use cars which are more pollution-friendly. Most car manufactures today aim to produce cars which don’t emit many gasses, therefore we should aim to purchase those vehicles instead of getting ones which are not as pollution-friendly.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Review of An Inconvenient Truth
A favorable review:
Ø Brandon Fibs, http://brandonfibbs.com/2006/05/24/an-inconvenient-truth/, says.
1) The scientific aspects in the documentary were right.
2) The documentary has enough evidence, graphs, charts, time-lapsed photographs and scientific studies to convince us that the ice caps are melting, the weather is no longer how it had been once, the ocean levels are rising, and temperatures are increasing alarmingly
3) The documentary displays images of the Antarctic and Greenland which clearly depict that these structures are melting and breaking up and this may lead to the drowning of many coastal cities of the world.
4) Floods, hurricanes and droughts are common occurrences.
An unfavorable review:
Ø Scolt,http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/review.php?movieID=inconvenienttruth, says.
1) The lecture relied only on scientific facts and focused on the issue of Global Warming only.
2) The documentary is just an effort of Al Gore to increase his popularity.
3) The author admits that the documentary is based on scientific facts, but feels that politics have been mixed with science and later points out sarcastically that global warming is a political issue and therefore facts matter little.
4) The author concludes by saying that the documentary is biased and only promotes Al Gore and therefore it is unlikely that it will impact a viewer who is already serious about Global Warming.
My Opinion
It is important for people to watch the documentary as it does make one aware of the possible outcomes of global warming. At the same time, one should compare the facts with what the documentary displays and conclude for oneself. On the whole, the documentary is not perfect but it is worth a watch to increase the awareness of global warming.
Ø Brandon Fibs, http://brandonfibbs.com/2006/05/24/an-inconvenient-truth/, says.
1) The scientific aspects in the documentary were right.
2) The documentary has enough evidence, graphs, charts, time-lapsed photographs and scientific studies to convince us that the ice caps are melting, the weather is no longer how it had been once, the ocean levels are rising, and temperatures are increasing alarmingly
3) The documentary displays images of the Antarctic and Greenland which clearly depict that these structures are melting and breaking up and this may lead to the drowning of many coastal cities of the world.
4) Floods, hurricanes and droughts are common occurrences.
An unfavorable review:
Ø Scolt,http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/review.php?movieID=inconvenienttruth, says.
1) The lecture relied only on scientific facts and focused on the issue of Global Warming only.
2) The documentary is just an effort of Al Gore to increase his popularity.
3) The author admits that the documentary is based on scientific facts, but feels that politics have been mixed with science and later points out sarcastically that global warming is a political issue and therefore facts matter little.
4) The author concludes by saying that the documentary is biased and only promotes Al Gore and therefore it is unlikely that it will impact a viewer who is already serious about Global Warming.
My Opinion
It is important for people to watch the documentary as it does make one aware of the possible outcomes of global warming. At the same time, one should compare the facts with what the documentary displays and conclude for oneself. On the whole, the documentary is not perfect but it is worth a watch to increase the awareness of global warming.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Inconvenient Truth
The “Inconvenient Truth” is a movie made by ex -Vice - Precident Al Gore. This movie about one of the important issues in our world which is Global Warming. In this movie Al Gore talked in a very exciting way which made the watcher think about our world and what is happening in it. This movie has got real pictures with clear graphs to show what is changing in our life.
Al Gore gave a great example of reducing Co2 levels. There are many solutions to reduce Co2 in the air; one solution is to increase plants in order to consume Co2 and produce oxygen. Another way is to use other types of energies instead of chemical energy which might reduce this issue. The third solution is to get rid of old vehicles which produce the highest levels of Co2.
Finally, Al Gore made his best explanation about the Global Warming and the causes of Global Warming and he introduced it to the world.
Al Gore gave a great example of reducing Co2 levels. There are many solutions to reduce Co2 in the air; one solution is to increase plants in order to consume Co2 and produce oxygen. Another way is to use other types of energies instead of chemical energy which might reduce this issue. The third solution is to get rid of old vehicles which produce the highest levels of Co2.
Finally, Al Gore made his best explanation about the Global Warming and the causes of Global Warming and he introduced it to the world.
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