Identify an existing problem that is being caused by climate change in the world today and explain how that problem can be addressed.
The rise in sea level has become one of the major environmental concerns since the 20th century. Coastal areas around the world are being threatened by the rising sea level and the entire surface of Earth will be affected in a long run. Sea level rise is due to thermal expansion of sea water as well as the melting of Earth's ice cap, both of which impact of the drastic change in climate. In order to deal with this problem, we definitely cannot just building seawalls to prevent seawater from flowing into our land. Instead, we have to take action straight to the source of global warming, which is caused by excessive emission of greenhouse gases. Cross-national efforts have been made to cut down the emission of greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
The Kyoto Protocol, which has been ratified by the majority of countries in the world, has the objective of "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2008). In response to the Protocol, different measures are being done by countries around the world. For instance, carbon trading is implemented in the European Union and has become one of the major component is the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Under this scheme, all corporations are given a cap or quota for emission of greenhouse gas that will be lowered over time. If a corporation has excess allowance of emission, the allowance can be either sold to other corporations that exceed the emission limit, or donated to nonprofit organizations to gain other benefits, such as tax reduction. In short, we cannot overcome the problem of rising sea level without eliminating the sources that are causing the problem. The elimination of the sources of the problem requires cooperation of all global communities to work as a whole.
Reference:
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2005). Article 2. Retrieved on February 17, 2008, from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/background/items/1353.php
My blogging buddy: Lihui
The rise in sea level has become one of the major environmental concerns since the 20th century. Coastal areas around the world are being threatened by the rising sea level and the entire surface of Earth will be affected in a long run. Sea level rise is due to thermal expansion of sea water as well as the melting of Earth's ice cap, both of which impact of the drastic change in climate. In order to deal with this problem, we definitely cannot just building seawalls to prevent seawater from flowing into our land. Instead, we have to take action straight to the source of global warming, which is caused by excessive emission of greenhouse gases. Cross-national efforts have been made to cut down the emission of greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
The Kyoto Protocol, which has been ratified by the majority of countries in the world, has the objective of "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system" (The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2008). In response to the Protocol, different measures are being done by countries around the world. For instance, carbon trading is implemented in the European Union and has become one of the major component is the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). Under this scheme, all corporations are given a cap or quota for emission of greenhouse gas that will be lowered over time. If a corporation has excess allowance of emission, the allowance can be either sold to other corporations that exceed the emission limit, or donated to nonprofit organizations to gain other benefits, such as tax reduction. In short, we cannot overcome the problem of rising sea level without eliminating the sources that are causing the problem. The elimination of the sources of the problem requires cooperation of all global communities to work as a whole.Reference:
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2005). Article 2. Retrieved on February 17, 2008, from http://unfccc.int/essential_background/convention/background/items/1353.php
My blogging buddy: Lihui
1 comment:
We discussed this. I hope to see the changes. Thanks!
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