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Monday, September 24, 2007
The efforts to save the environment are doomed. Discuss.
The efforts to save the environment are definitely not doomed. Throughout time, humans have been able to solve all problems and there is no reason why we cannot tackle this problem. In solving all global issues, as Bill Gates put it, need to proceed with a three-pronged approach; requiring technology to recognize the problem, leaders ringing the alarm bell, and people joining in the cause. We are seeing progress in these three steps – in fact, efforts seen today are stronger than ever, and there are many reasons for this optimism.
New technology allows us to understand the world that we are living in better. It also strengthens our ability to mitigate and prevent further damages. Science and research centers to tackle issues regarding environmental damage sprung up more in the last few years than ever in history. Humans always fear what we do not know – and these new technology has helped us to tackle this problem. Even though majority of research is still debatable and inconclusive, new solutions and strategies are emerging everyday and this concerted effort in itself can be considered a progress. A successful example that most people forgot is the patching up of the hole in the ozone layer during the last decade. Scientists, through their research and findings, raised the alarm bell citing the problem and came up with probable causes – one of which is still widely believed to be the excessive emission of chlorofluorocarbon into the atmosphere. This led to global leaders taking the initiative to hold conferences for solutions, finally which was settled on the birth of the Montreal Protocol, an agreement to cut production containing CFC and ban consumer products like aerosol spray cans. The ozone hole was in fact quickly closed up, protecting mankind from the harmful effects if the excessive ultraviolet rays from the sun, and more importantly, marking a milestone in the history of science and technology that it indeed can be seen as a beacon of hope in saving mankind in the future. This brings us an important lesson: that nothing is too big for mankind to handle and we in fact have the capability to re-do and prevent further damages to the environment.
The new batch of leaders today is also far more acutely aware of global environment crisis and more likely to progress in this area as compared to their predecessors. In fact, many politicians around the world pledge to make saving the environment a priority. This new wave of influence and power from the leaders are already sparking efforts around the globe and we are seeing changes for the better. Needless to say, solving a global issue requires people to start believing in the existence of the problem, and the countless articles on environmental problems we see in the newspapers are evidence of such belief. Leaders ultimately play a huge role in global affairs and setting the direction for the world. Just a few months back, America’s president George W Bush initiated discussions with global leaders citing the issue of environmental degradation and climate change. This was seen as a big step for America as their leaders are now relenting and seeing the urgent need to do something to save the environment despite standing firm on previous refusals to join the Kyoto Protocol to cut carbon emissions. In fact, America is not alone. First female chancellor Angela Merkel has also took the lead in Europe and around the world in advocating efforts saving the environment. These solid actions of the new wave of leaders set the tone for future discussions regarding the environment and reiterate the point that it is something to be taken very seriously. Indeed, all problems need leaders to sound the alarm bell, and we are seeing influential people today with a strong belief in saving the environment – a testimony that proves efforts to saving the environment are not doomed.
Armed only with new technology and visionary leaders are not enough in solving this gargantuan problem – the difference lies in the individual. This is because wherever we are, developed or developing countries, we need to realize and accept that pollution stems from us. Efforts, naturally, have to come from us, more than anyone else as well. Success stories, no matter how tiny, are emerging across the globe. We see the effort now filtered down to the individual level, and this is a huge step in solving environmental problems. Hong Kong is a successful example. Today, their clear skies – something Hong-Kongers have not seen in a long time – are a testimony that their efforts did pay off. This is made possible only because individuals had realized the need to solve the pollution problems that are causing many health problems. They had been putting pressure on their local district authorities and government officials to reduce the pollution. In most societies today, governments rule by democracy and listen to the majority of the people. In this case, the combined efforts of individuals who have a strong cause in saving the environment becomes the majority, and governments, whether happy or not, will have to do something about it. Much hope can be drawn from this Hong Kong example, and they are definitely not alone. States and provinces in China, one of the world’s largest polluters, are now twinning up with cities like Hong Kong and Singapore in bid to acquire knowledge to keep their environment clean and green. Whether for economic, social or political reasons, humans are beginning to realize the seriousness of environmental damage, and this gives us much optimism to believe efforts in saving the environment is not a lost cause as yet.
However, I acknowledge that it is natural for pessimists to exist and some might even go to the extent of saying that mankind faces possible extinction. These people are not to be blamed as their argument, along the lines of the accelerating degradation of the environment, is not without truth. However, we can also choose to see this phenomenon in a positive light. If scientists and researchers have found out that our increasing amount of waste and pollution is the main cause for the terrible climate changes plaguing us, then perhaps we found the solution to be problem as well. Yes, extreme weather conditions are now picking up speed across the globe, with many countries seeing their past records of rainfall, number of hurricanes and temperatures being broken in the past year. But all these could turn out to be a blessing in disguise as it could not have been a more obvious wake-up call to those who are still haphazard in their cause for saving the environment.
Indeed, it is undeniable that the effects of global changes and damage are accelerating faster than what scientists had originally predicted, but it is definitely not a reason for us to give up hope based on the existing and continuing efforts we put in. It is by every right of mankind that we fight on and race ahead of our common enemy, proving these pessimists wrong once again. As the saying goes, ‘adversity brings out the best in man’, I could not agree more. Armed with our newfound technology, continued efforts and ‘never-say-die’ spirit, our efforts to save the environment are far from doomed.
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