The Various Pros And Con of the Issue About Environment Changes - Essay Example

Introduction In the current times, environment sustainability has emerged as major concern for the survival of human race. Technology, globalization, lifestyle changes, business paradigms etc. have seriously disturbed the ecosystem, causing irreparable damage to the environment. Scarce attention is being paid to the limited natural resources like water, land and clean air. The indiscriminate use of the same, in the name of advancement and development has resulted in fast depletion of natural resources which has caused dramatic changes in global environment (Carter, 2007). The increasing numbers of climate related disasters across the globe, unnatural global warming etc. are but few of the prime examples of climate change. Serious government initiatives and international cooperation to address the issue needs to be taken urgently. The paper would be looking at the various pros and con of the issue to find out if equitable and global agreement could be negotiated across the nations to address the issue of environment changes. Drivers of global environment change or climate change In 2009, in a multi-country poll, carried out by World Bank amongst 13,518 respondents in 15 nations, over 90% believed that climate change is a serious problem that needs to be tackled collectively. The majority of them also agree that it was universally harmful cutting across wealthy and poor nations equally (WB, 2009). But it is also true that human threats to environment encompass essential elements of developmental processes including technology and globalization that promote among things, local, regional and international migration of people. Vitousek et al., (1997) assert that human activities and its demands on environment have adversely impacted the balance of ecosystem. Their pervasive effect can be witnessed on all the parts of ecosystem on earth. Population dynamics have emerged as vital elements in the national and global politics that have made significant impact on the environment. According to UNFPA’s statistics, world’s population has nearly reached 7 billion (2007). Farabee (1995) says that last quarter of the century has witnessed unprecedented increase in population. It took 1800 years to reach 1 first billion but only 45 years to reach 4 billion resulting in huge burden on land resources! Moreover, urbanization has led to migration of people and growth of urban population which has significantly lowered the quality of life and adversely impacted environment. Scholars argue that land transformation is key driver of loss of biodiversity across the globe (Vitousek et al., 1997). Fast depletion of natural resources to make way for rapid urbanization process has also led to consistent problems like lack of clean drinking water, low hygiene conditions in slums, pollution etc. Moreover, industrial revolution and technology advancements have been major catalysts of climate change (Dyson, 2005). It has led to the exploitation of natural resources like coal, wood, oil, natural gas etc. Most importantly, in the recent years, technology with new inventions and discoveries has redefined lifestyle and consumption pattern. There is more risk to health and environment from emission of harmful gases, greater air and water pollution due to toxic and chemical spills of hazardous waste into river, lake and reservoir etc. Hird (1993) says that it has also highlighted the inequity across population because the wealthy can afford to move to safer place whereas the disadvantaged population would have to bear the brunt of environment degradation. What is sustainability of resources? Sustainability of resources is hugely important aspect of continued survival of human race as its sustenance depends on the available natural resources like clean air, fresh water, fossil energy etc. (Keller, 2010). It primarily refers to the preservation and conservation of natural resource so that future generation continues to enjoy its benefits. Development has led to indiscriminate use of fossil energy like coal, gas, oil etc. and resulted in deforestation, destruction of marine life and threatened biodiversity (Doyle & McEachen, 2007). This has caused environment degradation leading to climate change. Indeed, the growing concern of climate change has brought the issue of sustainable development into sharp focus. Climate change broadly describes the general shift in climate conditions across the globe. The recent years have seen extended hot summers, the melting of Antarctica and Arctic Ocean and alarming rise of sea levels have become huge global concern. The damage to Ozone layers is deemed as one of the key reasons for global warming as it significantly changed the average temperature (Kalof & Satterfield, 2005). Temperature is inherently linked to biological and physiological health of the living creature and landscape. The carbon emission, methane, Nitrogen etc. adversely affect the temperature and disturb the ecosystem resulting in the damage to the ozone layer which protects us from direct sunlight. Thus, sustainability of natural resources becomes hugely crucial for human survival and for balancing the ecosystem that fosters life (Neill, Holland & Light, 2008). Why sustainable practice is important for environment preservation and conservation World Commission on environment (1987) defines sustainable development as the ‘ability of current generations to meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs’. It can be broadly interpreted in terms of the process that helps maintain the balance in ecosystem and facilitates continuous supply of natural resources like clean water, fresh air, energy and food through proper waste management. World Bank (2008) claims that proactive participation of the developing community needed to ensure adequate and effective adaptation and mitigation measures. Awareness amongst the public must be created about sustainable development so that technology is used as facilitating agent for preservation of environment for our future generation. Pujari (2006) has defined environment sustainability in terms of resource efficiency, dematerialization, reduction of waste and emissions that significantly contribute to its preservation. Thus, it contributes to better living conditions. The global environment changes in the contemporary times have serious future consequences. The extreme weather conditions, increasing frequency of natural disasters and global warming indicate grim environment situation which calls for serious and urgent actions from various stakeholders like government, international agencies, business, citizen action groups, NGOs and people at large. The various factors that are responsible for current environment conditions and climate change are major challenges that must be addressed. The sustainable development and corroborative practices become intrinsic part of guidelines and policy frameworks for governments’ initiatives. Sabatier (1998) defines advocacy coalition framework and multiple streams framework as important initiatives in different areas of public welfare that incorporate public opinion and feedback on vital issues which considerably impact the interests and welfare. Thus environment imperatives become intrinsically linked to work paradigms and extensively support sustainable business practices. The nations across the globe have become proactive actors and have evolved effective mechanisms to promote sustainability of resources through stringent laws and guidelines. Indeed, United Kingdom has been the first country to enact Climate Change Act 2008 that has developed well defined framework for emission cut in order to save environment and adapt innovative measures to address climate change (defra, 2008). ‘The Inconvenient truth’ by Gore Vidal was developed into documentary movie that showcased the wider ramifications of climate change. It was a defining moment that created huge awareness worldwide and brought the issue in the forefront of world politics. Americans’ opinion and concern became more visible. But the recent Gallup polls reveal the turnaround of American opinion and reducing concern for factors of climate change (Newport, 2010) Why international environment agreements are necessary? The interdependency of resources across the globe has emerged as crucial factor that necessitate global linkages for protecting environment. UNIDO (2002) strongly promotes social responsiveness of business and advocates that corporate social responsibility of corporate world must be responsive to stakeholders’ legal, ethical and environmental expectations. Climate change has influenced all arenas of human interaction and people across the globe are constantly at risk due to climate change. The global phenomena therefore, require collective actions and coordinated efforts by local and international agencies across the globe. Mitigation measures for climate change necessitate world agencies to come together to promote and evolve effective measures for environment conservation and preservation. Hoegh-Guldberg, et al, (2007) emphasize that coral reefs and marine life in general, facilitate ecosystem services to the human societies and promote development processes through fisheries, coastal protection, building materials, new biochemical compounds, and tourism. But recent years have seen increasing damage to marine life through spill of hazardous waste like chemical effluents into sea water mainly from developing countries. Hughes et al, (2003) claim that human impact on coral reef has grown exponentially through increased fisheries, tourism, pollution and interference from human activities. It is now both a cause and effect that leads to climate change. The threat to marine life not only endangers biodiversity but also poses serious challenges to the human life. Indeed, the interdependence of system vis-à-vis cryosphere, hydrology and water resources, marine and freshwater biological systems, terrestrial biological systems, agriculture and forestry etc. are hugely important elements which have widespread climate related ramifications (Riordan, 2000). These are also global issues which have cascading effect on people cutting across national boundaries and therefore need to be taken up with seriously and urgently. International environment initiatives and agreements United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen in 2009, (UNFCCC, 2009) also known as Copenhagen Protocol is distinct in its efforts to develop appropriate linkages across major developed and developing economies that would act as motivation for them to curb their carbon emission for the wider welfare of the global community. The agreement urges the developed countries to define target but does not make it legally binding. UNFCCC in Cancun, 2010 was a major breakthrough that greatly forged understanding for integrated approach towards environment conservation and emission of greenhouse gases. Cancun Climate change Agreements (Cancun, 2010) was highly satisfactory. It helped to identify major areas and introduced new mechanisms to address the issue, especially empowered decisions regarding the adaptation of mitigating measures for various drivers of climate change. The many issues that were incorporated within the broader agenda of the agreement, comprised of development and adaptation of green technology, financing, reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, conservation and sustainable management of forest resources. The Cancun agreement was a significant step towards collective action. 193 countries participated in the conference and priorities established regarding factors that required urgent address. There was unanimous commitment for reducing greenhouse gas or CHG emission after 2012. $100 billion fund was created to help developing economies to meet the challenges of climate change and address issues and factors that are major contributors to deteriorating environment conditions. President Obama’s presence was symbolic of American intention to collaborate and contribute to the issue. The equitable access to sustainable development imperatives was one of the major themes that were raised at Cancun. The global climate fund was important development that sought equity by helping poor countries to move towards green technologies in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. The transfer of green technology to the vulnerable countries and reduce deforestation through evolving new mechanisms of sustainable business practices was highly recommendable. Green technologies and green practices support environment by responding to environment needs and adopting ways that help preservation and conservation of environment (Connelly & Smith, 2003). Kyoto Protocol is considered as hugely important framework of Convention on Climate Change which had received legal entity. It had become legal entity on 16 February, 2005. It had set targets for restricting greenhouse emissions by the developing and developed countries (BBCNews, 2005). Greenhouse gases are important regulator for earth’s temperature but random increase in the greenhouse gases lead to higher emission of hazardous gases like carbon di-oxide and methane etc. which have severe damaging impact on the living organisms, including flora and fauna. Kyoto declaration was significant in putting legal compulsions on signatory members. Rio Earth Summit of 1992 was promoted by United Nations Conference on Environment and Development with main emphasis on the sustainable development processes that need to be adopted within the wider goals and objectives of business dynamics. More than 178 nations took part and adopted Agenda 21 which was to be reviewed every five years for effective evaluation and progress (Agenda 21). America was one of the main signatories. It was important roadmap for sustainable development that had impact on the business decisions and government internal control mechanisms. The Rio Summit of 2012 was distinct in its endorsement that signed for sustainable development under ‘the future we want’. It reiterated its commitment to environment and millennium development goals and put more efforts towards resolution of conflicts related to trade across nations within the broader precinct of environmental goals and are mutually beneficial. It was also important as it helped formulate institutional framework and rule for collaborative efforts highlighting environmental compulsions. The various imperatives like shared resources, trans-border externalities, credible threats and enforcements measures became important postulates that promoted sustainable development practices for mutual advantage. The on-going Doha round of WTO trade talks have become highly relevant due to new challenges that the global business faces vis-à-vis emerging new dynamics of globalization, threats from terrorism, environmental imperatives and increasing recessive trends in the global economy. Doha Development Agenda had focused on new environmental paradigms that had become tools of bargaining by the developed nations and means of exploitation of under-developed and developed economies (wto, 2012). Present Doha round of talks is a step forward towards negotiations on development issues with greater input and participatory approach from developed nations like America which had hitherto been not very progressive towards common issues like domestic curbs on emission and agricultural subsidies etc. Carbon footprints issues are taken on priority. The complex paradigms of trans-national businesses are dynamic issues within and across the national border that offer vast scope of development and growth. Doha platforms are being used to negotiate the differences vis-à-vis environmental paradigms and promote greater cooperation. The major issues that are being taken on are international trade agreements that would promote liberalization of global markets, especially in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing and services (unfcc, 2012). Conclusion Global environment change is the most important issue of the contemporary times because it affects everyone, whether they come from rich country or belong to the under developed economies. It cuts across race, culture and nationality. The various international conventions and global bodies have acknowledged it as priority area that must be addressed urgently and collectively. The growing dependency on cross national resources has intrinsically linked the nations which have come together to tackle the global problems of climate change. Indeed, it is true that local economies and domestic interests highlight sovereign rights but Kyoto protocol, Rio Summit and the current Doha climate talk are testament to the fact that nations are willing to negotiate for mutually beneficial outcome which are also able to address the current issues of climate change. So I do agree that national interests would be overcome or atleast negotiated for the broader objectives which address global concern. It is important that local, national and international policies and framework must address demographic needs of the region. They must evolve ways to facilitate resources to match the increasing population through mutual negotiation that caters to the universal goal of safeguarding environment for future generation. The survival of human race is at danger from myriad fronts that also threatens the ecosystem. These are vital issues in climate change that would unite the global community. (words: 2548) Reference BBC News. (16 February, 2005). Kyoto Protocol, Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4269921.stm [29 November 2012]. Cancun Climate Change Conference. (2010). Available: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cancun_nov_2010/meeting/6266.php [29 November 2012]. 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