Is Preventing Global Warming a Social Responsibility - Essay Example

Introduction Global warming has been identified as one of the greatest threats to plant and animal survival. As such,its effects have been linked to disasters that would affect animals, human beings and vegetation. This danger, arising from increase in global temperatures, is speculated to have begun in the early twentieth century due to deforestation and increased industrialization. Current statistics indicate that the rate of global warming from eighties to now have caused a large difference in increase in atmospheric temperatures than the previous 80 years. Defined as the increase in global temperatures of oceans and the atmosphere, global warming has been projected to lead to great increases of temperatures to catastrophic levels if it goes unchecked. Scientists have estimated that by the beginning of the next century, temperatures of the earth would have increased by approximately 2.1 degrees Celsius. An increase of only one degree is highly detrimental to animal and plant existence. Therefore, if the dangers of global warming do not undergo immediate intervention, then plant and animal lives might face partial or absolute extinction in the near future (Leroux 15). Causes of global warming For vey many years the concept of causal in global warming evaded human understanding. Until the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel by the UN, little was understood. The panel later found out that the presence of heat trapping gases in the air was majorly responsible for causing global warming. In this regard, they classified the heat trapping gases that cause what they referred to as the greenhouse gas effect. These gases range from simple CO2, methane, Nitrous Oxide to water vapor. Further research revealed that the amount of these gases in the atmosphere was directly proportional to the increase in atmospheric temperatures. Major sources of these greenhouse gases are human activity-based. The beginning of industrialization in the nineteenth century brought about changes in fuel consumption. Due to demand from industries in fuel, exploration and extraction of fossil fuel has dramatically increased. Despite refining, fossil fuel provides a large amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. Smoke from industries and fuel burning by locomotives are powerful source of carbon dioxide in the environment (Pumphrey 23). Other gases are highly harmful to the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful emissions of light rays from the sun. Continual depletion of this protective blanket leads to exposure to these harmful radiations which in turn lead to increase of global temperatures. This has been identified as a hazardous effect caused by such gases as methane and other chlorofluorocarbons. Emissions of nitrous oxide increase the risk to global warming, 300 times more than carbon dioxide does. This shows the potential risk of continual increase of such industrial gases in the atmosphere. Debate in global warming Since its discovery, global warming has remained a debated issue in all its dimensions. Starting from its causes to how to curb it, there have been unclarities concerning the responsibilities involved. From the beginning of discovery of the concept, the responsibility was only pushed to governments. According to Leroux (98) statistics obtained in 2009 from different regions of the world indicated that awareness of the concept was still low. The question of responsibility has thus continually raised endless debates. With a general understanding that causing of global warming is largely done by industries, blame has only been shifted to industries. Responsibility has evaded direction. The general societies have thus remained unclear whether they should be involved or not. This is one major debate that has rocked the human mind. Responsibility With increased rates of this disaster, there was need for a collaborative approach towards combating the dangers of the situation. Given that its effects will largely affect the causers and victims of increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, it is imperative that all the elements involved become aware that if the situation is not controlled, then great danger is looming. In this respect, there are a variety of key players who are entirely responsible for reducing global warming together with its adverse effects. These include governments, societies, business corporations, international bodies and collective responsibility of all the parties. Governments Governments take the firs responsibility in averting the dangers associated with global warming. Given their scope of power, governments can play a crucial role in drafting policies that would ensure that no greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere (Pumphrey 45). In climate mitigation, it has been identified as a governmental responsibility to put in place measures that should lead to reduction of emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere. This has been one responsibility that has been accepted currently in many parts of the word. The American, Chinese, British and other governments have drawn policies aimed at reducing deforestation and they have additionally pleaded to corporate industries to check alternatives to carbon fuel combustion. Currently, many governments in the world are emplacing afforestation as a great means of climate mitigation. Statistics obtained in 2010 from different parts of the world are indicating continuous efforts by various governments all over the world in tree planting exercises, aimed at creating carbon dioxide absorption sources. Given that these activities have only been undertaken over the last few years, in fact less than two decades, there are promising results that with continual efforts, they may completely provide a solution for CO2 absorption hence reduce its level. Corporate industries Blowfield, Blowfield and Murray (461) argue that corporate industries play a significant role towards global warming. They highly contribute to atmospheric green house gases in the atmosphere. It thus becomes their responsibility in mitigating effects that emanate from global warming. Efforts by the Japanese giant car manufacture, Toyota in reverting to green technologies such as commencing the manufacture of hybrid cars have shown its commitment toward acceptance of responsibility in reduction of global warming. Other corporate industries are turning to low emissions sources of green house gases such as electricity and Society Given that every party mentioned above and below belongs to the society, it is imperative that the society show concern for the problem. In this regard, putting in place measures that would ensure reduction of green house gases such as tree planting is expected of the society. Such efforts have been attempted before and in recognition, the International community recognized an effort by a Kenyan individual, Prof. Wangari Maathai, in establishing the Green Belt Movement to plant trees all over the country. Other societies in Africa, Asia and America are joining in the fight against increased global warming. It is thus also a societal responsibility (Pumphrey 74). International bodies International bodies have emphasized on the economic impacts of global warming. Due to dangers associated with it, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 sought to lessen future economic impacts of climate change. Continual talks, organized by the IPCC and the United Nations have critically evaluated other impacts, but their main emphasis has been directed at the economic disasters. Recent meeting of the IPCC have indicated commitments between these international bodies and governments towards challenging the effects of global warming (Leroux 25). The big problem Even with increased collaborative approaches, there has been insufficient attention to the problem. Over the years, different regions of the world have shown diverse reactions towards the concept of global warming. Given that majority of the information available on global warming attributes it to human activity, there is a direct pointer that it is a form of human-induced climate change. Also, given that the concept evolved recently into public attention, rates of reaction from societies all over the world are divergent. Currently, only the European region has recognized global warming as a serious threat to humanity behind hunger and lack of water and shelter. The above implication reveals critical information. Either campaigns against global warming have not penetrated all societies of the world, or some societies in the world are taking an ignorant approach towards global warming. The former indicates that rigorous approaches are a necessity towards raising awareness against the dangers of global warming. The latter indicates that despite of increased awareness, ignorance from world societies will automatically lead to deterioration of the situation. Therefore there is still a great problem towards increased awareness for the societies of the world (Pumphrey 120). Conclusion From the discussion above, it is evident that global warming remains a significant challenge of the twenty first century. Ambiguous debates have sought to isolate responsibility to specific parties. Given that the effects are expansively affective, inclusion through collaboration is the best approach towards mitigating global warming. As carried out by governments through lying of environmental friendly policies, they have ensured that global warming is considerably put into consideration. Corporation undertaking of changing to green technologies, such as Toyota’s effort of manufacturing hybrid cars are also reflective of industrial acceptance of responsibilities in combating global warming. Rise of individuals within societies such as the green belt movement by Nobel Peace Prize Kenyan Winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, indicate societal awareness of the concept and thus influence and acceptance of responsibility in global warming. Meetings organized by international bodies such as the IPCC and the United Nations have also indicated organization acceptance of global warming responsibility. Thus global warming is a collective responsibility that would benefit all stakeholders in reduction of health related hazards and thus reducing economic spending. Works cited Blowfield, Michael Blowfield, Mick and Murray, Alan, Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2008. Leroux, Marcel, Global warming: myth or reality: the erring ways of climatology. New York, NY: Springer,2005. Pumphrey, Carolyn Wilson, Global climate change: national security implications. Carlisle, Pa. : Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, 2008. Read More