U, ME AND EARTH
Despite the highly trumpeted Copenhagen conference came to an end without any legally binding conclusions, we can’t deny the fact that the earth is boiling. Global warming has been a global warning today and if we still lag behind to cope its effects, we surely would fail to save our own existence.
On the late 1980s, scientists began to suggest that earth’s energy flux was no longer in balance, earth’s surface getting warmer affecting the elements of climatic system. By 1995,it became evident that main culprit was CO2 emissions produced by burning fuels, coals, gases and oils in factories, power station and motors. It is estimated that a typical coal fired plant generates 3,700,000 tones CO2 annually causing damage equal to cutting down 161 million trees. It also emits 10,000 tones of S02, 10200 tones of 03 forming NO, 77.1 kg Hg and 102.1 kg As. And hence, it’s obvious that the rich on planet are responsible for it. They owe their present luxurious lifestyle and prosperity to years of historical emissions that have accumulated in the atmosphere since the start of industrial revolution.
And ironically, the most affected are the poors on the planet. Poor developing countries, particularly small island nations and we, residing at the base of the Himalayas will be the worst hit. The melting of ice caps lead to the rise in sea level that can turn many people into refugees, moreover the poor countries like Nepal are least prepared to face the wrath of glacial lake outburst floods- GLOF and many other problems causing enormous loss of life and property. Climate change has become one of the prime issues threatening the sustainability of world’s environment, besides it has impact on livability, health and economy of globe. A rise in global temperature causes sea levels to rise as polar ice caps and glaciers begin to melt along with thermal expansion of water. Another consequence is uncertain weather pattern which brings loss of property and life, uncertainty in precipitation pattern and stress on bio-diversity.
Any limit on carbon emission by developed countries amount to a limit on economic growth, turning climate change mitigation into an intensely political issue. international negotiation under UNFCCC aimed at limiting GHG emissions have turned into a tug of war with rich countries unwilling to compromise their life styles and poor countries unwilling to accept a premature cap on their right to basic development. Asking developing countries to reduce carbon emission level now amounts to asking them to freeze their standards of living which would further lead to global inequality.
1 tone of GHG produced by rich countries can be taken equal to one tone of gas produced by the peasant in Guatemala or Nepal. The answer comes- NO. The first tone is the result of “luxury” whereas second is of basic “survival”. “It’s possible to imagine building higher seawalls around New Orleans, but Bangladesh? California may figure out a way to deal with the loss of snow pack in its mountains, but Nepal? That’s why LDC bloc has increasingly focused on “survival” as a goal in climate talks”- said Bill Mckibben.
What’s the fault of polar beer?
What’s the fault of coral reefs?
Ironically, what’s the fault of the Himalayas which used the least of fossil fuel is the most vulnerable to the consequences of fossil fuel combustion?
Is this a blame game where “beggars can’t be choosers” and the riches are not sacrificing a little bit .controversy of “luxury” and “survival” emissions remains unresolved.
But why are we forgetting that preventing this global problem is not just an economic or ecological issue. It has become global co-operative enterprise in which all big and small, rich and poor, powerful and powerless must co-operate to achieve a global objective for the global good. Each country asks itself- “How do I do the least and get the other countries to do the most?” When they should be asking instead –“How do we co-operate to achieve our shared goals at minimum cost and maximum benefit?” 0bviously, the highest emitter have to carry the bigger share of the burden but the poorer countries also have to be effective partners on global stage and putting forward a stronger a stronger voice.
Effective accord must help vulnerable countries especially the poorest of the poor and highly vulnerable areas and island nations to adapt climate change. The most interesting fact to emerge is that fully 70% of the reductions needed by 2020 can be achieved by investing in three areas:
The only thing is we don’t want big sacrifices but an initiation to overcome this global problem collectively. If focused on clear, practical and achievable goals major reductions can be made. A radical new approach within manageable timeframe must be for forwarded. As we are the problem creator, we need to share the responsibility of solving it rather than blaming each other.
Every tiny change multiplied by millions of people living on our planet, has the potential to make a difference. Saving the environment isn’t about rich or poor, dark or fair, it’s just about going green. Hence, we need to rush for the sake of our earth, for the sake of our future generations and for the sake of other creatures who share this planet with us. What we still lack is the wisdom, courage and compassion to convert our knowledge into reality. But now we really need to worry because,
If not earth, where?
If not now, when?
If not us, who?
