Possible Solutions to Global Warming - Coursework Example

Possible Solutions to Global Warming Introduction The climate of an area can be defined as the average weather of the area. Many human activities are dependent on the said average temperature including many sources of livelihood (Mertz et al, 2009). A good example would be how citizens in many Eastern and Central African countries depend on subsistence farming as their source of food. Many industrial processes also depend on the climate for raw materials (Richard et al, 2007). The importance of a predictable and fair constant climate cannot be ignored as man depends on it for his survival. A predictable climate would ensure that humans can plan their activities depending on when they expect the climate to favour the said activities. Many human activities would cease to be productive should the climate deviate from its regular annual pattern. This is becoming the reality as the climate is constantly changing in most regions of the globes. Human activities over the past years have done the unthinkable. They have strained many natural resources and have also warmed the earth. Such human activities have strained the earth’s natural balance and sustenance of life forms. Climate change is described as the outcome of changes in the long-term weather patterns that primarily result from human activities (Cohen et al, 1998). Such activities include; deforestation and the release of industrial emissions into the environment. These emissions are known as greenhouse gases and are responsible for the rise in the temperature of the earth. Global warming is a measure of climate change (Grist, 2008). It is the change in average global temperatures as a result of the greenhouse effect. Industrial emissions and other gases pile up in the ozone making it harder for hot gases from the lower atmosphere to escape, thus the increase in temperatures. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed solutions to climate change shall be done in the paper with a focus on environmental direct action and financing of low energy, carbon access in Africa as possible solutions to global warming (Gujba et al, 2012). Environmental direct action (EDA) is when protesters take action to object government policy or change the opinion of members of the public regarding matters of climate through the media (Michaelowa and Michaelowa, 2007). The protesters also directly participate in matters of changing and improving the condition of the environment. EDA often involves a breach of the law, but protesters often put emphasis on theatre, humor and the use of symbolism when carrying out their activities. “Earth First” formed in 1980 in the U.S made EDA increasingly popular. It later spread to the UK in 1991 where it solidified the position of EDA not just as a tactic, but a defining feature of the environmental movement (Doherty, Plows and Wall, 2007). Little development is seen from environmental direct action since it is mostly aimed at providing education and keeping the government and corporations in check. EDA can, therefore, not take credit for aligning of development processes with climate policy as it focuses mainly on climate policy. EDA has little effect on the financial flow between the social classes. It, however, enables democracy by enhancing the freedom of speech and expression. Strengths of EDA One of the strengths of the EDA as a means of battling climate change is that it is direct; meaning it is active. Humanity has a better response to processes whose accomplishments are either quantifiable or tangible. Protesters are able to capture the attention of the public and the government and, therefore, drive their message directly to the people. Though some organizations have been seen to be a bit extreme, proper EDA movements are the future of battling climate change (Grist, 2008). They educate the public in areas most people lack knowledge. Many people take little interest in matters of politics. When protesters take to the streets, it is hard to ignore the issues they discuss as the capture the attention of the public. Secondly, the EDA as a means to battle climate change goes beyond activities such as “ecotage”. EDA attempts to accord a living example of a sustainable future (Smith, Klein and Huq, 2003). Other proposed solutions simply tell of what the future would look like, but EDA shows it. Eco-camps portray this example well. They rely on everything from solar powered cinemas to compost toilets. Such have enabled an increasing number of individuals to follow the example without necessarily joining EDA movements. Millions of people around the world are attempting to mimic eco-house designs due to the immense advantages they have, not only in the cost of living but also on concerns about the environment (Smith, Klein and Huq, 2003). It is, therefore, true to say that a great lesson of EDA as a solution to climate change is teaching by example. The third strength is that the movements involved in EDA are believed by members of the public domain to have a genuine concern for the environment. A majority of such movements has little to gain from protesting a piece of legislation that is unfavourable to the environment. In fact, they have more to lose as many individuals have been imprisoned due to matters that arise from the protests. It is this genuineness that drives many to believe that they fight for a worthy cause. Millions of people around the world can attest to this fact. Many of such individuals have sold their homes and moved into Eco homes in a bid to participate in the fight against climate change. Direct action also keeps corporations in check where the government has failed. At times, governments may opt to overlook litigation of environmental concerns. This negligence by the government is as a result of the government benefiting greatly from the operations of such companies (Doyle, 2007). Protesters come in and force the government to take action against the said corporation in such cases. By being independent, EDA movements have ensured themselves a Courtside seat to legislation. They have no conflict of interest and, therefore, can be trusted to put the environment first. This is strength as many other organizations involved in taking care of the environment may find themselves in situations of conflicting interests. The public also often affords such movements their trust. This characteristic can only be maintained if all EDA movements stay out of the pockets of the corporations. The genuine concern of such groups should be their primary driving force to solving the problem of climate change. Weaknesses of EDA A majority of the tactics protesters use to pass their messages is illegal. They range from disturbing the peace of other individuals all the way to the destruction of public property. This said, many people will turn away from protesters and subsequently their message, dismissing them as vandals and some even as domestic terrorists. It is often difficult to preach to the masses when one has a tarnished reputation. It is for this reason that the messages of many EDA movements have stayed out of the ears of many citizens. This can be accredited to the level of extremities some movements have gone to pass their message. Many movements are also losing active members to incarceration, money for bail, bonds and settlements. Few EDA movements are able to survive this strain as they have no real source of funding. Science is considered the answer to all problems by many individuals. EDA falls prey to this expectation as it is not a scientific approach to solving climate change, but a political-economic one. Many individuals do not believe that there is any possibility that EDA is the solution to climate change. This greatly diminishes the attempts of protesters to reach as many minds as they can, change the minds of the public and make them understand that it takes everyone to stop climate change. Few scientists have lent their work to EDA as the returns are very little. Many people view it as a backward and primitive way to battle what is perhaps the biggest threat to mankind. These individuals believe that science was the cause of global climatic change and thus should provide the solution to this problem. Many people believe that if the protesters had access to funding, they would have a much greater impact. They would be able to take to court pieces of legislation that seem unfair to the environment instead of just taking to the streets. The role of EDA movements is greatly hindered by their lack of financing. This is a major weakness as it hinders the “Action” part of the institution from being fully realized. Protesters would be able to advertise, hold seminars and facilitate their cause. Perhaps the use of more subtle and civil tactics has been what protesters ordered for such movements to attract a certain class of members of the public. This class contains members who may have been previously turned off by the current methods of operation in EDA. Such tactics can only be afforded with adequate financing. Another weakness is the limitation in spreading messages through mass media. Movements in EDA target the public and the government (Gujba et al, 2012). This weakness makes EDA unable to access maximum activity and efficiency in operation. For the EDA to be successful, other forms of gaining publicity should be adopted. This is a major weakness as the government can find ways of stopping the media from passing the messages of the EDA movements silencing them forever. This too could be solved by financing as the EDA movements would no longer rely on intermediaries to pass their messages. The media has also at times been seen to tarnish the image of some of the EDA movements, thus leading the public to revolt against them. This is perhaps the single biggest consequence of relying on a third party in passing their messages. To devote one’s life to fight the government and corporations in order to save the environment is too much to ask from any person. Many EDA movement members go as far as leaving their day jobs and retiring to a life of subsistence. This is one of the least popular ways of solving climate change despite having the capacity to cause change based on the human drive. Many people cannot bear the thought of dropping everything for a cause and, therefore, opt to forego their cause for a “normal life.” However, those that do take up such a cause are often found to be in threatening situations while protesting. Some have even gone to say that such a life is a calling and is only for the few who put everything aside for the cause. Financing Low Energy Carbon Access in Africa Financing low energy, carbon access in Africa is another possible solution to climate change. In Africa, low energy, carbon has been the main source of domestic energy (Gujba et al, 2012). Until recently, Africans have relied solemnly on wood for cooking. They used firewood and charcoal as sources of heat energy. Coupled by the need of construction materials, nearly 90% of the natural forests in Africa have been destroyed (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2011). This was, however, before the introduction of legislation against indiscriminate logging. Though logging has decreased substantially, Africans still use more wood than individuals in all other continents. The loss of trees has altered the rain patterns in many parts of Africa and the world. To stop the dependency of Africans on wood for fuel would mean providing them with alternative sources of energy. Some have ventured into producing their own biogas (Cavallo, 2005). Few can afford commercially produced gas (LPG) obtained from refined, crude, oil while others use electricity (Cohen, Joutz and Loungani, 2011). However, the numbers of such individuals using alternative energy sources is nothing compared to those living in rural areas and depends on firewood and charcoal. Financing low energy, carbon access in Africa has its strengths and weaknesses as a tool in battling climate change. Strengths of Financing Low Energy Carbon Access in Africa The first strength is that financing of low energy carbon access in Africa greatly reduces African dependence on natural forests (Gilbertson and Reyes, 2009). With alternative sources of energy, say, solar powered stoves for cooking, solar lamps, hydroelectric power, Africa might have a chance of regaining its once flourishing natural forests (McEvoy, Gibbs and Longhurst, 2000). With the forests restored, climate change in the area and its surroundings may be reversed. Reduced carbon IV Oxide emission will also go a long way in solving climate change. It is a known that wood burns to release Carbon IV oxide. Carbon based compounds are the leading cause of global warming, followed by chlorinated compounds (Downie, Brash and Vaughan, 2009). If Africans were afforded alternative sources of energy that were not carbon based the rate of build-up of greenhouse gases would greatly reduce. This is a direct way of solving climate change in that it directly affects one of the constituents of climate change; global warming. With the infrastructure in place, alternative energy sources promise to be cheaper than the daily acquisition of wood and charcoal. For this reason, financing low energy, carbon access in Africa will also tackle the immense level of poverty in the region. Take for example, solar powered stoves being used by households. The cost of operating such a device, once acquired will be close to zero as it utilizes the power of the sun. Wind power can also be harvested to power homes at night, thus reducing the cost of electricity or paraffin lamps. Development of this proposed solution would mean incredible savings for the African people, thus impacting their economy positively (Olsen, 2007). Though this does not directly affect climate change, it is strength as its development has monetary returns and long term benefits. It will be a scenario of killing two birds with one stone. Both the economy and the environment shall benefit. Ideally, it aligns development with climate policy. In many African countries, circulation of funds is mostly from the poor to the rich. The rich provide goods and services while the poor buy them. This solution would reduce this occurrence as Africans would be self sufficient in terms of their energy requirements. They will not rely on logging companies that have leases to log for wood or on petroleum empires for paraffin to light their houses. The circulation of funds may then be stabilized, thus benefiting the poor. Many poor people will be able to make a living, for example, from producing biogas for sale (Gordon, 2008). The climate development finance will enable local democracies by encouraging independence and will facilitate individual and economic lifestyles by improving the economy (Newell, Phillips and Purohit, 2011). Weaknesses of Financing Low Energy Carbon Access in Africa The first weakness would be the fact that for financing low energy, carbon access in Africa to take place, there must be a party to provide the initial investment. African governments are barely able to sustain their citizens. In many African economies, the balance of payments and budget deficit is usually big. Many African governments, therefore, forego such significant and costly endeavors. In addition, foreign investors are also turned off by the low level of returns associated with such projects. The main aim of such solutions is making African lives cheaper, and the secondary objective is solving climate change. Investors are profit driven and, therefore, would quickly pass such opportunities due to little or no returns for their funding. The second weakness of this solution is the availability of alternative sources of energy. Few Africans will have the ability of acquiring the appliances of harnessing the said sources of energy. Many Africans are still using wood as they cannot afford wiring their houses for electricity despite the availability of eco-friendly hydroelectric power in their vicinity. Unless there is a way of putting measures in place to move Africans to the use of alternative and eco-friendly energy without them having to spend money, such a project would be purely hypothetical. Poverty in Africa is the single biggest deterrent to development. The final weakness is the practicality of establishing such a project. The majority of African population lives in rural areas that are characterized by low levels of development and infrastructure. These are, in fact, the groups that to date, fully depend on wood sources for energy and housing needs. It would be an uphill task to reach such groups. It would also prove difficult to convince them on the advantages of the alternative sources of energy as to some; the phenomenon of climate change is unknown. Such groups include the pygmies of the Congo forest and some Maasai of the Kenyan Rift Valley (Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2011). This only results to an incomplete implementation of the solution in cases where the groups decline the adoption of the new ways. Conclusion Climate change has often been accredited to governments and corporations of many countries. For this reason, many individuals have refused to take part in the rehabilitation process. With sufficient financing, EDA can be a force to recon with in the fight to solve climate change. If the movements are organized into organizations and are able to steer clear of corporate and government influence, they will have a significant impact on the masses and hence on the environment (Boyd et al, 2009). Financing low energy, carbon access in Africa could also work as a solution. It can be concluded that if enough capital is invested and enough time is given, Africans will migrate fully to using alternative eco-friendly sources of energy. Despite the few weaknesses, both outlined solutions offer high potential tools of solving global warming. It is, however, important to appreciate the fact that climate change is a significant and may therefore require the implementation and development of more than one solution. In addition, it may need several years, maybe even decades for the efforts to yield fruit. The cost of solving the problem that is huge with few individuals and corporations willing to contribute to this cause. 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