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Volume
14, Number 16 |
Also in
this section: Climate
change, melting ice
and Caribbean waves by Clarence E. Pilgrim Walking along the pink sandy shores of Barbuda, a small low-lying isle with an ecologically large underwater habitat, produces for many an opportunity to enjoy a number of undeveloped natural spots. I had the pleasure of strolling along beaches full of salty spray, shells and smooth pebbles washed by a foaming sea, along and beneath each soothing water-filled step, while the sun danced along the horizon of the shoreline, among the restless waves. It is these moments of natural beauty, that produces the greatest sense of urgency in the ongoing efforts to combat the effects of global warming. The International Energy Agency predicts energy use will increase to 50 percent by 2025, with fossil fuels still remaining quite significant in the future economies. This unhealthy bit of news is part of a continuing problem which have led scientists in the United States to believe that there will be a dramatic disappearance of Arctic sea ice. According to the latest modeling studies, it appears that northern polar waters could be ice-free in summers within just five to six years. This was said at an American Geophysical Union meeting at which it was reported that previous projections had underestimated the processes now driving ice loss. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) synthesis of its 2007 global assessment indicates, that an increase by three degrees Celsius, will put millions more people at risk of coastal flooding, decreased cereal production at all latitudes and widespread death of coral reefs. If the arctic melt-down is happening sooner rather than later the global sea-level will indeed rise, and do so at a dramatic rate. We therefore need by proportional contrast, to reduce emissions within 10 years if we are to keep the global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius and below. It is believed that if we fail in reducing fossil fuel emissions and leave it for another 25 years, then the dangerous three degrees Celsius would likely be attained. The UN Environment Program executive director Achim Steiner said, "We can achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions simply by looking at energy efficiency" In an earlier commentary I indicated that "…Sooner, rather than later, policy makers should take the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach. This is a management philosophy that seeks to integrate all organizational functions to focus on meeting needs and organizational objectives. A central principle of TQM, which is very applicable to the need to regenerate the ecological systems is the premise that mistakes may be made by persons, but most of them are caused, or at least permitted, by faulty systems and processes (lack of adequate laws, regulations and enforcement agencies). This means that the root cause (lack of planning, greed, self-interest, dysfunctional behavior) of such mistakes can be identified and (it is hoped!) eliminated, and repetition can be prevented by changing the process. In other words, in our environmental planning, we must adopt the Concept of Continuous Improvement, if we are indeed serious about putting an effective plan in place…" Further adding to the complex problem of global warming is a finding by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which believes that forests are being lost at "an alarming rate" --- lately, of course, fueled by the well-intentioned but strategically unplanned rush towards biofuels, particularly the kind of biofuels which can be used for transportation. The IPCC have indicated that vehicles that cause a significant amount of pollution should become more fuel efficient, using eco-friendly technology. For countries whose livelihoods are dependent on marine resources and coastal business endeavors, an increase in the sea level must be a factor which has to be seriously considered in business planning and statistical forecasting. To combat the many harmful conditions which would arise due to climate change, requires resolve and sacrifice. There cannot be any agreement on a meaningful emissions-reduction framework in 2008, unless as part of an overall commitment by the industrialized nations, to increase substantially the funds available to help developing countries to adapt to climate change. It is indisputable that if developing countries fail to join the effort, there can be no viable solution to this global challenge. A slow step towards arriving at a solution began with the Bali Climate Change Conference, which was held as a precursor to the creation of a successor to the Kyoto protocol. A significant result at Bali was the creation of a working group on long-term cooperative action to discuss a wide range of issues under the four "corner-stones" of finance and investment, mitigation, adaptation, and technology transfer. But despite the fact that all the governments present accepted the scientific findings that global warming is "unequivocal" and that any delay in the reduction of emissions increases the risk of more severe climate change impacts, there is still the reality that some nations are selfishly guarding and protecting their economic interest. If this is the case and certain economic elites and/or multilateral corporations remains an entrenched obstacle to progress, then any forward momentum towards solutions will be undermined. We have reached the stage where a planetary rescue mission is needed to save this "global village" from suffering a tortured and unnatural existence. But, are we prepared to do what is necessary?
The author is an educator and senior civil servant in Antigua & Barbuda
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