How to Prevent Climate Changes - Essay Example

Research Proposal Climate change-a global problem: How can professionals help Background Rapid industrialization is an integral component of the changes taking place in the world today. But somewhere down the line, such rapid advancements are also leading to adverse side-effects. Cutting trees, air pollution, water pollution etc. are some of the after-effects that tend to destroy the delicate balance of a nature. This is bound to result in serious consequences if the growing industrial activities keep ignoring the measures for caring the nature. Immediate casualty of industrialization is the depletion of forest cover. The forest cover is losing ground on account of rapid industrialization and cutting trees for individual gains. Deforestation in turn leads to melting of polar ice, more floods, increase in global temperature, scarce rains etc. Green forests help in soaking the suspended particles in air and thus clean the air for all of us to breath. Disappearing green cover also means presence of more pollutants in air. National Geographic reports that, "According to the World Resources Institute, more than 80 percent of the Earth's natural forests already have been destroyed. Up to 90 percent of West Africa's coastal rain forests have disappeared since 1900. Brazil and Indonesia, which contain the world's two largest surviving regions of rain forest, are being stripped at an alarming rate by logging, fires, and land-clearing for agriculture and cattle-grazing." Literature Review Madsen and Sargent (2006) spell out the potential dangers of global warming if the temperature rises beyond 3.6 F. Some such effects are; Loss of the Greenland ice sheet, triggering a sea-level rise of 7 meters over the next millennium (and possibly much faster); A further increase in the intensity of hurricanes; Loss of 97 percent of the world's coral reefs; Displacement of tens of millions of people due to sea level rise; Total loss of Arctic summer sea ice; Expansion of insect-borne disease; Greater risk of positive feedback effects like the release of methane stored in permafrost-that could lead to even greater warming in the future. According to the studies conducted by many Science Academies, the surface temperature of Earth has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades. New and stronger evidence is found which suggests that most of the warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. Human activities have altered the chemical composition of the atmosphere through the buildup of greenhouse gases - primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Energy from the sun drives the earth's weather and climate, and heats the earth's surface; in turn, the earth radiates energy back into space. Atmospheric greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trap some of the outgoing energy, retaining heat somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. According to recent studies, since the beginning of the industrial revolution, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased nearly 30%, methane concentrations have more than doubled, and nitrous oxide concentrations have risen by about 15%. In fact the greenhouse effect is also leading to some geomorphologic changes as well, which is resulting in changes of landscape. There are views which state that the climatic change is neither unusual nor necessarily harmful or bad (Jones, 1993). The benefits are being counted in the fields of economy basically. But the moot point is, to what extent can we ignore the nature for reaping economic benefits. Even during carrying out a profitable business opportunity, a sensitive management will allow the public to know what the company is doing. Such inputs not only help the company in knowing about the thought process going on in the public domain, but it also helps in strengthening the ties between company and its customers. At times the business also works hard to build public opinion in favour or against some strategic decision and tries to influence public opinion about the environment (Blair and Hitchcock, 2001). This way companies have also been able to generate better business opportunities and developing products and services resulting in environmental improvement. Blair and Hitchcock (2001) cite the case of debate on the genetically modified (GM) food. It is contended that the public debate over the introduction of genetically modified (GM) foods has not been one-sided, but the business, and in this case one particular company called Monsanto, did everything to publicize the environmental benefits from the use of such products, which ultimately resulted in better opportunities for the company. With increasing emphasis towards energy-efficient products, renewable energy products, low-carbon products and services a change in the air is quite perceptible for all of us to see. Companies like BP, General Electric, Wal-Mart, McDonald and Starbucks have now realized that if they want to grow consistently in the future, their business must be based on good environmental management (Furniss, 2006). Research Objectives The research study in general aims to; i. Correlate the views of professionals from the fields of business, environmentalists, NGOs etc. ii. Establish a well studied relationship between the industrialisation, the Economic activities, the globalisation era and the overall impact on the environment. These effects have become of particular significance in view of the fast spreading effects of globalization. iii. Analyse some of the fast developing companies and compare their growth vis--vis their approach towards the environment and efforts in preserving the balance of the nature. This will be an effort to point out some areas which require immediate attention in order to maintain healthy living conditions on the planet earth. iv. Analyse the overall scene of compatibility of business and environment, the pros and cons of going for e-marketing and some of the latest developments on this front. v. The status of some of the awareness campaigns and value propositions being imparted to the young generation. Approach This study is more of a qualitative case study which focuses on an analysis of the environment, rising levels of pollution and emerging trends towards green-businesses The focus will be more towards the industry analysis. In order to arrive at the conclusion we need to analyse the available facts, data, viewpoints, existing studies etc. which we can do by way of; Deductive reasoning, which works from the more general to the more specific subjects. Sometimes this is informally called a "top-down" approach. In such approach we take up the 'theory' and then try to apply it to the hypotheses that we intend to test. Gradually we narrow down to the testing of data and observations for their applicability to the theory/ theories to arrive at a confirmation of its applicability or not. The Inductive approach on the other hand begins with collecting data, specific observations, which then lead to broader generalization and theories. Such an approach in called as "bottom up" approach. The patterns thus detected are formulated into tentative hypotheses and we can therefore arrive at some general conclusion about our subject. During this study, we'll be making use of a balanced combination from both the approaches, to arrive at the most realistic outcome. Key Data Sources The method that will be involved in this process of collection of relevant data will be concise and yet comprehensive, aimed at soliciting maximum information related to the topic. Data will be compiled from articles published in various scientific journals, books and magazines by individual researchers, as well as, research institutions. Both, online resources and offline resources will be used to compile the data. In fact the topic being related to the web space, more of this research will be carried out with the help of different applications of internet. Methodology In order to carry out the research we need to have information and data on the topics like predictability scales. Such data can be collected with the help of secondary as well as primary sources. Data from both the sources has its own significance. Secondary data, available in the public domain provides us with the historical developments, comparisons, research findings etc. while primary data provides a glimpse of the prevailing circumstances within the industry and the company. Primary sources: These sources will be used mainly to gain an insight into the prevailing attitude and perception towards preserving the nature's balance. Questionnaire and interview are the two important tools for collecting information from Primary sources. Towards this end; An effort would be made to interact with some environmentalists Information would be gathered about the environment protection measures being taken by some of the companies and organisations An effort will also be made to know about the awareness level of the public in general about the environmental issues. Secondary Sources: These sources will be obtained mainly by carrying out an academic research. Secondary sources will help in; Studying some of the demonstrative measures used by some international organizations to keep the environment pollution in check. Studying different theories of environment and how employees in a company or organisation are motivated to maintain quality standards in such a manner that it helps the company as well as the society. Online libraries prove to be of great help in gathering information about the latest technology and management techniques being implemented the world over. Latest data about human development indices, the ozone layer, the greenhouse gases and their impact on the environment can be studied using the available databank. Proposed work plan Time scaling helps in gauging the progress that has been made towards the completion of the project. Milestones on the way help in providing and judging the shortcomings in implementing the project. Subsequently a corrective step can be taken to bring back the project plan towards original schedule or requisite adjustments can be made in the schedule. Such an adjustment also helps in sincerely conveying to the tutor/s that we're indeed on the job and all their efforts are not going down the drain. For carrying out this study I've made the following time schedule; Submission of Proposal: January 28, 2008 Interaction with the Tutor: February 10, 2008 Inclusion of suggestions by the tutor: February 13, 2008 Preparation of questionnaire: February 23, 2008 Data gathering, Lit Review etc March 13, 2008 Compiling the Modules March 28, 2008 Review of all details and requirements April 8, 2008 Submission of the Project April 9, 2008 References: 1. Blair, Alasdair and Hitchcock, David (2001). 'Environment and Business' Routledge. London. 2. Furniss, Charlie (2006). 'How Green Is Your Business'. Geographical. Volume: 78. Issue: 10. October 2006. 3. Jones, David K.C (1993). Global Warming and Geomorphology. The Geographical Journal, Vol. 159, No. 2. (Jul., 1993) pp. 124-130. 4. Madsen, Travis and Sargent, Rob (2006). "Making sense of the Coal Rush- The Consequences of Expanding America's Dependence on Coal". U.S. PIRG Education Fund National Association of State PIRGs. Boston. Available online at http://www.saveourenvironment.org/CoalRushUS.pdf (Jan 23, 2008) Read More