Environmental Crisis: The Public Must Wake Up - Research Proposal Example

Environmental Crisis: The Public Must Wake Up The greenhouse effect is a term that describes an increase of the average global temperature and is often associated with global warming which is the subject of great debate and concern worldwide. Although warnings about the human generated causes of an enhanced greenhouse effect and the subsequent catastrophic outcomes have been sounded for over 100 years, global warming has only recently become an important political matter, at least in the U.S. President Bush, for the first time in his term of office, referred to the subject in his last State of the Union speech. Even then, he chose his words carefully by calling this phenomenon, ‘global climate change.’ In 1997, the Kyoto Treaty, which has now been signed by more than 160 countries, is, to date, the most comprehensive global effort to decrease CO2 emissions. Though the agreement was signed by the U.S. and then President Clinton consented to decrease greenhouse emissions in the U.S. by 40 percent, it has been dismissed by the Bush administration and has yet to be ratified by the U.S. CO2 greenhouse gases have since increased in the country that produces well more than any other (Melinin, 2005). Unfortunately, the country that causes the most harm is lead by a person that seems to have ‘cause the most harm’ as his calling card. The solution to automobile emissions may lie in alternative fuels. Promising future alternatives to crude oil, vegetable oil can be substituted for diesel fuel while ethanol is an effective gasoline additive. Brazil began converting to ethanol in the 1970’s and today does not import a drop of oil. Britain and other countries of Western Europe are following suit. Iceland is already well on its way to becoming the first nation to generate its power needs by means of hydrogen fuel-cells and France is leading the way in building nuclear power plants (“Alternatives to Oil”, 2002). The scientific community agrees that global temperatures are rising due to the burning of fossil fuels which are damaging the protective atmospheric Ozone layer by changing its composition. Human pollution is changing the climate of our earth and has increased global warming in the past half century. The film by Al Gore An Inconvenient Truth is pointed directly at citizens and politicians of the U.S. who, for reasons unknown to Gore and the rest of the civilized world, are either unaware or deny global warming exists except in the mind of liberal environmentalists. To this end, Gore attacks the misconceptions perpetrated by large corporations such as oil and auto companies which believe they will be the losers if limits to CO2 emissions are legislated in the U.S. According to their propaganda, the planet’s climate is experiencing a normal cycle of change. Television commercials in the U.S. distributed by the oil and gas companies demonstrate how CO2 is an essential component of the economy and an integral element of the cycle of life itself and therefore should not be regulated (Hopkins, 2006). “Gore debunks the wishful thinking that all of this climate change is simply cyclical and will cure itself” (Goldstein, 2006). Gore further argues that new industries that supply solar, nuclear, wind and battery power will replace any jobs lost by the old pollution producing industries and likely produce more. The economy will be enhanced by aggressively pursuing alternate energy sources rather than destroyed. According to Gore, “We have a false belief that we have to choose between a healthy economy and a healthy environment” (“An Inconvenient Truth”, 2006). Some particular facts in the movie have been disputed but no credible evidence exists that denies global warming is happening and most sources from all political leanings applaud the intention if not the complete accuracy of the movie. However, the message is compelling and designed to inspire the public into playing a more active role on the global warming issue by pressuring politicians and taking steps themselves to reduce CO2 emissions (Kirkland, 2006). “Gore doesn’t let anyone off the hook when it comes to the global-warming crisis. Whether it’s driving a hybrid car, using solar power, buying more efficient appliances, planting trees, or conserving energy overall, he makes an impassioned plea for everyone, everywhere, to play a part in protecting the earth’s endangered atmosphere” (Goldstein, 2006). Gore shows that the nations that produce the most energy efficient autos also sell the most cars and suggests that if U.S. auto makers followed suit, their profits would rise, not fall as they claim (Thomas, 2006). Gore concludes his appeal by asking “Are we as Americans capable of doing great things though they are difficult?” He then uses historical references to show that the country has a track record of such accomplishments. Americans “formed a nation, fought a revolution and brought something new to this earth, a free nation guaranteeing individual liberty” (“An Inconvenient Truth”, 2006). The projected rate of climate change is very alarming to many scientists but not as much to politicians as this topic isn’t as high on the political agenda as some others. World leaders, outside of the U.S. have demonstrated a sense of urgency about them regarding global warming. The U.S. is lagging behind in not only addressing the problem but the technology involved in this growing alternative energy market as well. The way to get politicians to change in this country, though, is to be as loud as the corporations fighting for the status quo. If the public rose up and demanded that environmental issues be addressed in a way that protects rather than harms, the politicians would have to account for their decisions. At the same time, each one of us should be working to conserve as much as we can. Install energy-efficient lightbulbs and appliances, insulate homes and convert to wind power when it’s available – there are several electric companies that now offer the option of acquiring electricity through renewable sources such as wind farms or water generators. As Gore points out, when we all band together, great things can happen. Right now, our entire planet, not just our species but every species of animal that lives here, is in immediate danger of extinction unless we each do our part. References “Alternatives to Oil.” 2002. Disposable Planet? BBC News UK. Online. Available April 27, 2008 from An Inconvenient Truth. 2006. Al Gore. Lawrence Bender Productions. Goldstein, Gary. 2006. “An Inconvenient Truth.” Reel.com. Online Available April 27, 2008 from Hopkins, Rob. November 2006. “A Review of An Inconvenient Truth.” Transition Culture. Online Available April 27, 2008 from Kirkland, Bruce. 2006. “Global warming tackled in ‘Truth’.” Toronto Sun. Online Available April 27, 2008 from Malinin, Sergei. July 27, 2005. “USA, China and India Outlaw Kyoto Protocol and Set Forth New Climate Change Initiative.” Pravda. Thomas, David A. 2006. “Earthcare: An Inconvenient Truth.” Christian Ethics Today. Vol. 12, N. 5. Online Available April 27, 2008 from Read More