Environment – Perspectives on Global Warming

Whilst climate change issues and arguments cause heated debate, it seems undeniable that change is occurring. This article details two perspectives on climate change and environmental issues, the sceptical and the pro-active.

Global Warming – A Sceptic’s Perspective

According to the Daily Express, Professor Ian Plimer , of Adelaide and Melbourne Universities, believes the climate change issue to be a fraud which is being sustained by academics wishing to profit from their predictions of doom.

Whilst it may be difficult to understand how academics, or indeed campaigners, will profit from legislation to assist in regulating climate change it does seem likely that worldwide agreements on reducing emissions will impact upon private industry. Reducing emissions may require vast expenditure on cleaner technology which will eventually impact upon the end consumers.

Professor Plimer is an academic in the field of mining and geology by profession, rather than a climatologist, although he has published in the field of climate change.

Certainly as Professor Plimer states, climate change sceptics do point to the fact that the Earth moves from warming cycles to cooling cycles but most scientists will not now accept this as a valid reason to dismiss global warming.

In conclusion, Professor Plimer’s suggestion that climate change should be managed by altering the orbit of the Earth and tidal currents may well belong more to the realms of science fiction, than a realistic and workable solution to an immediate problem.

Global Warming – A Pro-active Perspective

An agreement between Norway and Guyana, signed in November, which will preserve Guyana’s rainforests provides inspiration to those with concerns regarding climate change.

Poverty stricken Guyana has an intact rainforest the size of England, but it is understood that the country will be one of the first casualties of rising sea levels. Campaigning by The Independent newspaper managed to broker a deal between the two nations which will see Norway investing around £150m over the next five years, providing Guyana achieves targets on carbon emissions.

Tropical deforestation causes one-fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions and a joint statement from the two Governments stated that they hoped their actions would: “provide the world with a working example of how partnerships between developed and developing countries can save the world’s tropical forests.”

Even the smallest of actions by individuals relating to carbon emissions can assist, leaving the car at home for a week can be one way to start a green lifestyle with benefits to health, wallet and the environment. Also learning how to save energy and minimize waste can provide interest to the whole family.