Ways of Mitigating Climate Change within the Confines of UASC Company - Case Study Example

? Climate change Task: It is vital to that climate change has become a critical issue in the twenty first century. This means that different entities have stopped regarding climate change as an issue that only concerns the scientific community as a mere theory. In the beginning, climate change seemed to have posed a danger to human health and agriculture. However, it presents a grim situation of affecting wide entities to human life. In this paper, the article looks at climate change as affecting the business community. This pertains to the case of United Arab Shipping Company. In attainment of comprehensive discussion, it is vital to consider several aspects of climate change. This pertains to how climate change would affect the United Arab Shipping Company. Additionally, the discussion would examine how the business contributes to the detriment of climate change. In close relation to the same, the paper will discuss possible solutions that the company can afford towards the climate change situation. In a light sense, the company choice, of fuels, for automotives affect climate change. This pertains to combustion that releases carbon to the atmosphere. Oil fuels contain substantial carbon that is released on combustion of the same. In this sense, the carbon achieves its way into the atmosphere (Williamson 2008, p. 162). Such carbon contributes to the menace of climate change in the sense of destroy the ozone layer. In this perspective, it causes global warming. It is vital to provide a brief background to the company. The company is a large entity that was formed in 1976. Six states, of the Persian Gulf, formed this entity in the view of linking the same to the rest of the world. This pertains to Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE (UASC 2012, p. 67). The company possesses a corporate office in Dubai. In addition, it operates from various continents such as North America. The company operates by shipping traditional and containerized cargo. UASC is a critical company, as regards climate change, because it is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. Shipping companies are responsible for climate change in notable ways. To begin with, it is vital to note that ships and heavy vehicles utilize high proportions of oil fuel. In case of heavy oil fuel’s combustion, a high proportion of carbon dioxide finds its way into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is an environmentally destructive gas because it interferes with the operations of the ozone layer. The ozone layer thus allows for destructive levels of radiation. It is vital to note that such intensity, of radiation, amounts to global warming. This causes concern because further emissions would contribute towards worsening the situation of climate change. There are notable ways in which the shipping company can contribute towards efforts against climate change. Efforts are divisible into those that are immediate to the company’s reach. Other efforts demand a different level of commitment and use of resources. It is vital to note that there are organizations, such as UAESA (the United Arab Emirates Shipping Association), that commits towards mitigating climate change. They utilize their own operations in conducting such solutions. This regards the idea that the shipping industry contributes towards emission of green house gases. The fundamental view of climate change, according to this organization, regards the view that shipping contributes to 90 percent of world trade. The danger of shipping, towards climate, pertains to the view that ships carry significant weight of cargo. One of the UAESA’s notable initiatives pertains to design of ships. The organization has proposed a design index that entails innovation for new ships. An appropriate example regards having slippery bottom coatings on ships. In addition, these innovations entail air cushion streaming (UNEP 2007, p. 12). This is coupled with voluntary utilization of atmosphere friendly fuels and oils such as the lube types. In close relation to this perspective, environmentally friendly ships should entail designs that encourage minimal steaming. Alternatively, eco-friendly automobiles could have different locomotive mechanism such as the wind, bio-fuels and wave power. However, such technology presents the challenge of reliability since they do not possess certainties of proper ship’s movement. The company assigns carbon emissions to different entities. In this perspective, the company ensures accountability programs for every port that operates within its line of movement (Ritzer 2011, p. 90). It is vital to note that this strategy works at utilizing every port that handles unloaded and freight loaded goods. This includes ports that participate in trans-shipping. This is a scientifically intensive research whereby a port holds responsibility for cutting down on a given amount of emission. The underlying notion exists in the view that ports should hold corporate responsibility for their economic benefits of having their operations. To begin with, the company could cut back on its fuel consumption by vehicles. This regards the utility of oil fuels and natural gases for operation of vehicles. Such fuels have high content of carbon that combust to release the same into the atmosphere. A prominent way of achieving this pertains to utilizing fuel efficient engines in vehicles. Fuel efficient automotives employ less fuel over same distances with those that demand substantial fuel (Gueye, Sell, Strachan 2009, p. 165). In close relation to the same, the company could employ alternative vehicles for achieving their shipping and logistics operations. There are ecology vehicles that use mechanical means of propelling themselves. These would form feasible alternatives over short distances. There are other solutions that demand additional commitment in achieving the same. For instance, the company can add onto its corporate responsibility by engaging public awareness campaign about climate change (Mills 2010, p. 45). In this sense, the company could sponsor billboards that describe different aspects to preserving the climate. This should pertain to different entities such as water, trees, soil and use of fuels. Such messages should contain elements that promise of positive results to efforts against climate change. In addition, the company could organize public education programs. The best way of achieving such programs would entail combining the same with activities of the company. Alternatively, the company could organize campaigns for support of scientific research towards climate change. It is vital to note that this can be a less expensive project if the company engages the public in raising funds (Asariotis & Benamara 2012, p. 132). The advantage of such a project regards the view that social networking platforms can contribute significantly towards mitigating climate change. In most instances, such sites are platforms for awareness and seeking solutions (Mills 2010, p. 12). In close relation to the same, individuals can redress proposed solutions. It is vital to note that networking sites are avenues of attaining raw information. This would entail reports of real situations. Additionally, it is crucial to note that shipping companies could reduce unnecessary load in their ships. This would pertain to manufacture of products within their localization. Ships mostly transport oil in form of the ore. Products, such as raw ore, are heavy thereby demanding substantial fuel in their transmission across continents. The main problem with raw products regards the aspect of constant docking to ships that entails significant emission in ports. The UASC has administered strategies of operating under protocols and watchdog groups. These groups would be responsible for defining the index towards toxic levels of emissions. In addition, such groups make agreements, with shipping companies, as concerns with intended level of reduction to emissions. A vital gas that should fall under watchdog pertains to carbon dioxide (Baer 2012, p. 35). In close relation to the same, such entities assign punishment and taxes. These taxes relate to use of heavy fuels rather than emissions since the former necessitates ambiguity of calculations. Such a strategy is propellant in the manner that shipping companies would innovate their ships for efficient fuel consumption (Spyrou 2010, p. 65). Currently, there are challenges that the UASC Company would face in the fight against climate change. To begin with, it is vital to note that there is a significant uncertainty over global carbon dioxide estimates by shipping companies. This varies by, an average of 50 percent, as pertains to respective methods. In addition, it would be difficult for shipping companies to shift from utilizing heavy fuels in the short term period (Ryley & Chapman 2012, p. 56). Besides, the shipping industry presents a constraining complex scenario as pertains to use of low carbon technologies. In summary, this paper discusses the complexity, of climate change, within the confines of UASC Company. This company is an entity that six countries are shareholding entities to the same. This is a large company that connects various parts of the world. In this sense, it forms a critical part of this discussion because it is responsible for the world emission of green house gases. More essentially, the company has participated towards mitigation of climate change. The paper addresses additional ways of mitigating climate change. The paper highlights of UAESA’s case that entails monitoring programs towards climate change. This regards creating indexes towards carbon emissions and design of ships. The design, of ship, should follow the innovation of efficient use to fuel. In addition, the paper notes of awareness programs and funds that are employable towards mitigating climate change. In close relation to the same, ports should have assignment of emissions’ responsibility as regards the economic value of their operations. These proposals have notable challenges such as difficulty of eliminating heavy fuels. Bibliography Asariotis, R, & Benamara, H 2012, Maritime transport and the climate change challenge, Routledge, New York. Baer, H, 2012, Global capitalism and climate change: the need for an alternative world system, Rowman Altamira, Lanham. Gueye, M, Sell, M, & Strachan, J, 2009, Trade, climate change and sustainable development: key issues for small States, least developed countries and vulnerable economies, Commonwealth secretariat, London. Mills, R, 2010, Capturing carbon: the new weapon in the war against climate change, Columbia University Press, West Sussex. Ritzer, G, 2011, Globalization: the essentials, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken. Ryley, T, & Chapman, L 2012, Transport and climate change, Emerald Group Publishing, Bingley. Spyrou, A 2010, Global climate change and the shipping industry, iUniverse, Bloomington. UASC, 2012, Company profile, United Arab Shipping Company, viewed on August 26, 2012, http://www.uasc.net/company-profile UNEP, 2007, Global environment outlook: environment for development and GEO 4, UNEP/Earthprint, Valetta. Williamson, R, 2008, Zero greenhouse emissions, Strategic Book Publishing, New York. Read More