The Global Warming - Essay Example

Other Topic: Argument Paper (global warming) Introduction: Global warming is a global warning to humankind! Climate, water and air are the three important factors that distinguish Earth from other planets and lead to origin of life on it. Snow-capped mountains, icebergs, flowing rivers, resource-rich forests and diverse flora and fauna are all the distinguishing assets of nature of which the humankind should feel proud of. These precious features that sustain life of humankind are diminishing at a fast pace and threaten survival of life on planet Earth. The concerns related to global warming are serious. The natural resources available in abundance not long ago, are diminishing at geometrical progression. Misuse and exploitation of the natural resources, and the factors like increasing population have aggravated the issue. Human beings have shared intimate relationship with nature. As man progressed on the path of scientific development and gave up benevolence from his heart, mindless adoption of materialistic values in pursuit of wealth, his disposition towards nature changes. Human bond with the nature turns to utilitarian one and it is subjected to indiscriminate exploitation. The result has proved disastrous. Humankind today is experiencing severe resources crunch. Harmony between nature and humanity stands disrupted and nature has begun to react and this phenomenon has resulted in global warming. The prime thematic issues to address the problem of global warming are water conservation, energy conservation and other tangible measures to tackle climate change. We owe a duty to the future generations to leave the planet Earth in the same condition as we received it, if not make it a better place for habitation. Global warming issue is not that serious: Bjorn Lomborg finds it difficult to agree with the prophets of doom who lend support to tackle the global warming issue on war-footing. Planet Earth is not in danger, according to his arguments in the book called “Cool It.” He argues, “Global warming has been portrayed recently as the greatest crisis in the history of civilization. As of this writing, stories on it occupy the front pages of Time and Newsweek and are featured prominently in countless media around the world.” (Preface, ix) He advises the community leaders and scientists not to paint a grim picture about global warming and tells them to desist from creating the fear psychology amongst the people. He further argues, “Statements about the strong, ominous, and immediate consequences of global warming are often widely exaggerated, and this is unlikely to result in good policy.”(p. 8) He is willing to concede that it is one of the serious issues the humankind must address to in all sincerity, but it is not insurmountable. He takes a serious exception to those who dare to predict “that an ice-free Antarctica is likely to be the world’s only habitable continent by the end of this century if global warming remains unchecked.”(p.13) With his arguments, Lomborg has succeeded in applying a check to the progression of the debate. He categorically asserts that global warming will not overpower humankind. The consequences of global warming can be adopted in our lifestyles and it is not necessary to allocate huge budgets for tackling this issue, he argues. He makes a case for terminating all the projects that need hundreds of billions of dollars to implement and the measures proposed will have little impact to challenge global warming, according to him. This dissenting voice has given rise to new dimensions as for the arguments related to global warming and its implications on the lifestyles of human beings. Problematic arguments related to global warming Lomborg is on the wrong side of the fence and there are few takers for his arguments. The dissenting views on a grave problems, like global warming and the astronomical budgetary provision to tackle it, demand that the dissenting views are given a careful consideration. He takes the stand global cold-weather related deaths outweigh the rising number of heat-related deaths. He argues, “This confirms the prospect that we could be seeing many more heat deaths—a tragedy that will indeed be caused by global warming. But cold spells will decrease just as much as heat waves increase.”(p.14) This goes to prove that global warming is good for humanity. To support his viewpoint, he states that in Europe, 200,000 people die of heat whereas 1.5 million die from cold, which means more warming is less death. He reveals the facts about the prevailing conditions, “…for many cities the urban-heat-island increases of the twentieth century are on a larger scale than those to come from global warming in the twenty-first-century.”(p.20) Next, Lomborg turns his attention to the issue of rise of the sea-level. He welcomes the imminent collapse of the ice sheets. He argues, “Global warming of glaciers means that a large part of the world can use more water than fifty years before.”(p.58) He demands total embargo on the budget related to projects to stall global warming and pleads that such funds must be diverted to mitigate the hardships of the poor. But the author intelligently sweeps under the carpet, some of the unassailable projections through computer models that show horrific results of climate change and the alarming rise of the sea-levels with dangerous consequences for the humanity. Global warming from the point of view of materialistic civilization: The fundamental lessons of the materialistic civilization are to confront nature, not to live in co-operation with nature. The money--culture has destroyed the moral fabric of the society and the outcome of the numerous problems for the alleged improvement of the standard of living of humankind have resulted in unchecked rise in atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels, which represent an important factor that contributes to global warming. But the fourth estate has vested interests in exaggerating the issue of global warming. Ronald Bailey argues, “Clearly, the media are not innocent bystanders in the climate change debate. Alarmism sells the product. A drought here, a flood there, a blizzard here, a warm day there—such normal weather events are seized upon by enterprising reporters as evidence for a changing climate caused by human industrialization.”(4) So, all those who are concerned with the welfare of the society must understand the issue in its correct perspective. From the humblest entrepreneur to the big industrial giant, everyone must possess thorough knowledge about water and atmospheric pollutions. They must also go for tree plantation in a big way. Global warming is not a simple subject for which cut and dry formula does not exist for solution. For example, the rise in sea level may affect certain countries and other countries may have less impact. No one knows the total implications of the global warming phenomena, and its consequences in its entirety. But those who do not support the measures adopted by the respective governments in different countries are not the enemies of humankind. Moreover, global warming has turned out to be the politician’s problem and it is discussed more at the political forums. The interested lobbies must stay away from airing opinions, and the issue must be left to an expert committee of scientists, ecologists, researchers and those who possess scientific knowledge on the subject. Where do Lomborg’s observations and objections hold well in the present context? Lomborg’s arguments merit consideration. Arguments and counterarguments are helpful to strike the correct balance and they are likely to lead to solutions. So, one problem need not be pitted against the other. What is evident is that, due to wrong applications of the achievements of the scientists, a gigantic problem confronts the humankind today. To some, future looks grim; some visualize that the situation can be controlled. Expressing similar views, John T. Houghton argues, “The phrase “global warming,” has become familiar to many people as one of the important environmental issues of our day. Many opinions have been expressed concerning it, from the doom-laden to the dismissive.”(1) The projects related to global warming should not be treated as another industry for profiteering. Lomborg lashes out at such a mindset and he writes, “Jumping on the bandwagon of catastrophe, sexing up the ramifications of global warming, and exploiting fears of disaster may be good for selling papers, captivating viewers, and getting attention.”(p.131) Lomborg has created a platform for discussion on global warming and all right thinking people need to participate in the constructive debates without fear or favor. Conclusion Lomborg’s contributions to the discussions cannot be brushed aside, that would be an undemocratic approach. Any attempt to stifle the debate is not a healthy trend. Global warming is not the sole concern of a particular power-block. Natural disasters happen not only because of global warming but also due to faulty management of environmental projects. Tree plantation on a massive scale as a shield against the onslaught of hurricanes is a good, constructive measure. Works Cited Lomborg, Bjorn. Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalists Guide to Global Warming. Knopf; 1 edition, September 4, 2007. Print. Houghton, John T. Global Warming: The Complete Briefing. Cambridge University Press; 1997. Print Baily, Ronald (Ed.), Competitive Enterprise Institute (Author) Global Warming and Other Eco Myths: How the Environmental Movement Uses False Science to Scare Us to Death [Illustrated]. Prima Lifestyles; 2002.Print Read More