Global warming is the consistent rise in the temperature of the earth’s surface, both land and water. Certain gases, notably carbon dioxide, trap solar radiation and reflect it back to the earth. This is the main cause of global warming. These gases are released as a result of human activity, which if anything is likely to increase in the coming years. This is why global warming has become a cause for concern.
The only solution to global warming is to reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This means a curtailment of human activity. In practical terms it means catching the bus to work instead of driving, haute couture styles lasting for two years instead of changing every six months and no traveling long distance for exotic vacations. In short solving the global warming problem will end conspicuous consumption and spell doom to suppliers of goods and services. This is something that is unacceptable to people who cannot see the day after tomorrow, let alone fifty years down the line.
It is the money power possessed by these suppliers of goods and services that is preventing the politicians from enforcing the required legislation. The Kyoto Protocol, which was to have come into effect in 2005 and which expires in 2012 is riddled with finger pointing. About 35 “developed” countries were to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The remaining about 140 “developing” and “underdeveloped” nations were simply required to monitor their emissions. On an average the Kyoto Protocol sought a 5% reduction in greenhouse gases emissions. The United States, which is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has refused to ratify the treaty. It cites two reasons, the first being that the protocol would harm the United States economy. The second reason is that the protocol is not fair because it exempts China and India, owing to their developing nations status. China is said to be about equal to the United States as far as greenhouse gas emissions are concerned.
China and India have their own arguments to offer. They say that total national emissions are an incorrect parameter. What are important are the per capita emissions. China and India have large populations. The emissions per person in these countries are much less than the emissions per person in the United States. Hence The United States first needs to bring down the per capita emissions significantly before it can ask China or India to cut down. Another important factor is that the effect of emissions from one country is not restricted to that country but affects the whole world. For the greater part of the last 150 years the total emissions from the developing and underdeveloped nations have been a very small proportion of the total world emissions but they have borne the brunt of the environmental damage. Therefore the development in the developed countries has come at the expense of the other countries. Hence the developed nations have to now compensate by going in for more stringent emission cuts.
The Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012 and it is doubtful that it can be effectively salvaged. Meanwhile negotiations to the successor protocol have begun. Let us hope that it begins on a sounder footing.
