Tag climate change

Climate Change: What is the Real Deal?

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The ongoing talks in Copenhagen have no doubt arrested the entire world’s attention on climate change.

To be honest, I was never much fascinated by such issues related to our environment. It was only in the past two years that I got acquainted with climate change issues within the business community that the interest developed.

From what I’ve observed so far, the real deal about climate change and what goes on in COP15 is more inclined toward political interest and economic driven among nations- the fittest survive and the weakest dies.

The real deal on climate change

For a start, there are still a lot of lively debates and controversies surrounding the claims that whether or not emitted greenhouse gases are strongly linked to human activities that are ultimately contributing to global warming.

I mean do only greenhouse gases contribute to global warming?

How is it that carbon emission which is generated by fossil fuels is to blame?

Why the push to resist the use of oil (fossil fuels) and to adopt alternative sources of clean energy?

For certain, the answer does not begin with saving our environment.

In my personal opinion, countries adopting alternative sources of clean energy is similar to what Singapore has achieved with NEWater. Now we no longer feel susceptible to our neighbour across the causeway whom we’re buying water from.

Unfortunately, unlike water, oil cannot be recycled or undergo reverse osmosis. Oil, and not water, powers the economy.

The ugly face of climate change

As one goes deeper into climate change issues, one can become delusional or feel hopeless about the human race especially on discovering the sort of evil that we are capable of.

For instance, it is no secret that the final war against Iraq by infiltrating Afghanistan is all about possessing oil fields and nothing about terrorism.

Terrorism was merely used as a bogeyman to rally public support for the invasion. And till now, no “weapons of mass destruction” have been uncovered in Iraq.

Hence, just as how any criminal case is investigated by considering the motive and sequences of events that transpired. This question begs to be answered: “Was 911 really a terrorist attack or was it an insider’s job?”

I know what I’m insinuating here might be highly contentious. But to me, it does present a stronger and more logical case for what has transpired in our global economy over the years.

Confronting the Ugly ‘Green’ Truth

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For a long time, our environment with its climate change issues had never gotten the degree of attention that it rightfully deserves.

This apathy especially among key leaders of governments and businesses had been mainly displaced by other concerns such as competition, economical growth, innovation and technology.

However, all that is changing and for a number of reasons. One of those reasons- the need for self-preservation on every level of societal.

Awakening to our environment

There’s an interesting French proverb- “Fish discover water last” that succinctly illustrates the kind of relationship we have with our environment.

For fish, water simply is it’s environment. It surrounds them. They are so immersed in its presence that they are unaware of its existence- until it becomes polluted or non-existent.

When that happens, the immediate consequence makes it apparent that quality water is essential for their well-being. Without it, the fish will die.

Similarly, we as humans are finally discovering our high dependency on our environment with the dramatic developments that have surrounded climate change.

Now, the world is in stark realisation that our environment is vital to our own well-being just as water is to a fish. Without our environment, we will ultimately self-destruct.

Our future by 2050

According to the United Nations (UN), our global population is projected to swell from 6.7 billion (2009) to surpass 9 billion by 2050.

That amounts to adding two Chinas to the number of people alive today who will be seeking food, water and other resources on this earth where, scientists say, who are already shaping our climate and the web of life.

For instance, China and India are presently dominating the demand for energy in Asia. China alone accounts for 40 per cent of primary energy needs and responsible for 60 per cent of carbon emissions.

At this rate, we can expect energy demands to double; using twice the energy. And with our source of energy mainly based on a fossil fuel economy, this will have a negative impact on our environment.

With our growing insatiable consumption for all of earth’s natural resources, 2050 is not very far away for us to max out our planet and destroy ourselves.

Taking environmental issues in our context

At this point, I would like to invite readers to think for a moment:

What would become of nations when there is a depleting supply of staple food such as rice or corn?

Would countries that cultivate them supply and export to their neighbours?

What happens when supplies of other neighbouring countries run dry and they see producing countries having supply?

From the likes of how oil is globally distributed, I think it is safe to say that countries with natural supplies will likely protect and hoard their resources for self-gain and to provide for their own countrymen.

Like how the many wars had erupted in the Middle East region over the supply of oil, we, therefore cannot not rule out the possible threat of wars among nations vying for natural resources in bid to survive.

Now, imagine that we have arrived at 2050 with global natural resources depleted and tagged with sky-rocketing prices due to high demand.

What would become of Singapore as a country that imports almost all of its natural resources and has none to its name?

You tell me.

Carbon emissions will fall 3% due to recession, say world energy analysts

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Carbon emissions usually refer to the man-made production of a series of gases that contribute to climate change. And this news report shows how carbon emissions are strongly linked to economic growth. However, I feel 3 per cent is a very conservative figure.

Man-made greenhouse gas emissions will drop 3% in 2009 largely because of the worldwide financial crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said today.

Three-quarters of the reduction has been the result of less industrial activity, with the rest coming from countries turning to renewable energyand nuclear power.

But the world’s premier energy analysts calculated that to avoid dangerous climate change, countries around the world will have to spend $400bn a year building more than 350 new nuclear plants and 350,000 wind turbines in the next 20 years. They also estimate that by 2020, three-fifths of cars will need to use alternatives to the traditional internal combustion engine.

The findings came in a special extract of the IEA’s forthcoming annual world energy outlook report, published at the UN climate talks in Bangkok.

The emissions cuts, only the fourth in the last 50 years, provide countries with a unique chance to switch to less carbon-intensive energy sources, said the IEA’s chief economist, Fatih Birol.

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