global warming
Its actually quite scary to read all these reports on global warming. Here is one about the Himalayan glaciers. Most of the world's glaciers are melting more rapidly than ever and they pose a severe environmental problem in the near future. While its heartening to know that the Kyoto pact has come into effect, we are still not sure about its future as the world's major polluter, the US, has not joined it. while we all talk about the Iraq aggression, this just flew under the radar. In my opinion this is a bigger issue.
Also there was interesting an article on Wired as to how the market on the greenhouse gases can turn into a multi billion dollar industry within the next decade. well it sounds optimistic, but when some nations aren't participating and some others are allowed more relative Kyoto credit allocation, how long will it take for these polluting companies to disobey the treaty? Only time will answer.
On the lighter side, during the california governor recall election in 2003, an ex porn star ran for the governor's post as well (that was a unique election in which every tom, dick, and harry for the post :) ). Her solution to global warming "Dress Less" :) But Hollywood's captain, Arnold Schwarzenegger said "asta la vista, baby" and became california's governor :)
19 Comments:
Arnie as Hollywood's captain - thats a gud one. ;)
I liked the "lighter side"...:)
The USofA will wake up to global warming only when the venerated Wall Street Journal decides that having 2 feet of snow falling on New York City in March has no bearing whatsoever on the phenomenon of global warming.
Having said that, here is a wacky temeritous question: How do we ever know for sure that this global warming is because of pollution only, and not as part of a natural cycle of earth? We talk of shifting/changing climate patterns, but isn't that based on just over 120 years of weather observations and recordings?
For the record, I do support the Kyoto Protocol and favor greener vehicles, but I just couldn't resist playing devil's advocate.
Michael Crichton also plays the devil's advocate in his State of Fear. I haven't read the book but listened to his interview on NPR few weeks back. Very compelling arguments. Check this out also.
Governator = Hollywood captain. you couldn't have put it better :)
Chakra, that was a compliment to Arnold :)
Anupama, than you.
Jagan, apart from less polluting cars, there should be good civic sense as well. it even applies to non-degradable stuff like plastic bags. we should slowly start limiting their usage.
Ramesh, thats true. Increased emissions of greenhouse gases alone may not be responsible for global warming, but they are indeed responsible. All we can do is to fight the known evil.
Manoj, thanks for the link. And as I said earlier, the captain title for Arnold is a compliment :)
I think something is missing in Paran's list though i am not sure :))
I thot about commenting something funny but finally decided not to in a serious post like this.
Humans are on earth for thousands of years but last 50-60 years has definetely made a huge impact on the eco system. I have been thinking in the angle for quite sometime. All I do is recycle materials, use less water, paper, polyethene bags, proper disposal of batteries etc
Any other suggestions on environmentally safe procedures highly welcome. ( Btw don't ask me to get Fuel cell car and CFC free appliances. I don't have any plans to buy in near future :) Student u c )
Arnold came under a lot of fire for driving a Hummer, but looks like he has modified it to run on Hydrogen fuel.
I am worried too about Global warming etc., The move 'Day after Tomorrow' was a real good one I thought.
On the lighter side ( thanks to Jay leno)
Do you know what Pres.Bush said, when He as asked to sign the Kyoto Accord.?
No thanks, I have a Toyota Camry.!!
kay, illaye ellam correct ah thaane irukku :)
Me if everyone is like you (in recycling stuff), that alone will solve half the problem.
Narayanan, even if Bush had said that I wouldn't be surprised :)
Hi Saranyan, nice new look to your blog....True, the threat to the world posed by the USA in the form of contribution to Global warming is much more than any Saddam can do.
It is the typical arrogant attitude of USA. May be some intelligent sources would have told the US govt. that USA would be the last to get affected by Global warming.
I think Daps is on the spot exactly ..US recognises only the green bucks ...they cant understand any other language...but to unilaterally withdraw from Koyoto protocol is a sick act...they wouldn't take the responsibility for their acts, but want the developing countries to cover it up...a very sick act of funding the environment frndly solutions to these countries, they make money and also, they claim credit...the developing countries, too have the right for development..dont they??
US is not just about the government. In the latest issue of Fortune, 20 Fastest-Growing Professional Jobs
For those who are not subscribers, first on the list is
Environmental Engineers with 54.3% growth rate.
Perhaps something good will come out of the USA soon.
Hari, Krish - US backed out of the Kyoto pact citing the excessive emission credit allocation for developing countries like India and China. But developing countries need them, otherwise it will hamper the overall growth.
Manoj, do you have the magazine. I want to read this article.
"state of fear" is indeed a compelling read. however big a threat this global warming could be, I kinda think mebbe we are making too much noise about this.
Hasnt nature always found a way to survive?
The US behavior is historic, as was seen with NPT, WTA, its infamous foreign policy etc. For the kind of resources it has, it might actually be the last to get affected.
Nature does go in a cycle and always survives, but do the weakest of men survive? The differential impact of earthquakes and tsunamis highlights the fragility in the third-world. So global warming might be an issue of concern.
Gandalf,
Hasnt nature survived before... The qn has to be whether man can?
Consider the two popular theories (the only 2 i know of) - Evolution, and Creationism.
If evolution is true- Man need not neccesarily mean the end of evolution. Nature is capable of bringing forth a better being/species.
If Creationism is true, Its all supposed to end anyway. Why bother anything about this earth when all that you have to worry about is preserving your soul from the everlasting fire?
My arguments might sound escapist- but I am not arguing for cutting down trees et al - am just saying Man as a species must strive for a better life here and now. Both the above theories invalidate the need for that. I hope I dint wander away from the moot point.
The Governator has actually been lauded for his environmental friendly policies, although his collection of Hummers, the least fuel efficient commercial car on earth, makes one think otherwise.
The Kyoto Accord is dicey. Two of the emerging pollutants, China and India claim that they need to pollute their share of environment since they need to grow and expand. True. They say that the western nations have contributed their mite to polluting the environs during their growth cycle over the last two hundred years. But if this is how people are going to argue, what really happens to the atmosphere ?
As Daph points out, weather patterns are definitely taking a turn for the worse and this trend isnt helping anyone.
Harish, thats more like Murphy's law.
We know some reasons for global warming and there are strong theories claiming that this can be controlled. so why not stop it.
Lets think about this in a different angle. we can use this opportunity to create alternate energy sources. this might come handy when we exhaust all the petroleum resources.
So now the question is - do we want to take the first step, or sit back and pollute the earth more than ever.
Compliment to Arnie is a good one. :->
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