Aug 29 2007
Obstacles to Countering Global Warming and Climate Change
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By Abdul Basit
8/29/07
As natural calamities like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and droughts continue ceaselessly on one hand while endless and inconclusive debates about the reasons for Climate Change take place on the other, the time for firm action to counter Climate Change is getting shorter and the options for slowing the impact of Global Warming are getting fewer.
Expounding upon my article ‘Manifesto to counter global warming and climate change’, in which I stressed the importance of sustainable development, I would like to further address some of the challenges and hurdles that are slowing the implementation of policies and programs to counter Climate Change.
Sponsored Intellectuals
One of the main hindrances to Climate Change resolution is the frequent dissemination of specious reports by Climate Change deniers sponsored by certain oil corporations which are creating confusion among the general public. These sponsored intellectuals of the establishment and the corporatocracy are trying to find new reasons to prevent actions to counter Climate Change, seldom realizing that by their action they are endangering the very existence of mankind for meager monetary inducements. Some of the most common arguments of these sponsored intellectuals are that these natural disasters are part of the cyclical process and all measures to counter it are futile.
The ruling establishments, corporations, decision makers and their sponsored intellectuals are not convinced by the scientific research and conclusions by prominent scientists attributing the present natural calamities to human factors. Nor are they satisfied by the historical perspective of the extinction of past civilizations. Also, they do not take into consideration the Holy Scriptures, which have mentioned in detail the causes for the destruction of civilizations and societies of the past. We have to note that Holy Scriptures, scientific research and history have explicitly stressed a common factor that all tragedies and natural calamities are in fact caused by the excesses and corruption of mankind.
Challenges
The other great impediment in implementing policies to Counter Climate change is the magnitude of the change in lifestyle that is required in a minimal period of time. As we all know changes in the individual thinking and social way of life is moulded over a period of years and decades. The concept of progress that is embedded in the mindset of our modern society and the conditioning that people receive through education have etched an indelible vision about the present materialistic lifestyle in the minds of the masses. This process has been occurring since the genesis of the Industrial Revolution. Further the capitalistic view of life, including consumer culture and globalization, has only enhanced their belief in this model of progress. The advancement of science and the technological growth in different sectors like manufacturing, telecommunication, construction and medicine, which are the major contributions of the capitalistic system, further deepened society’s faith in this system. Further man’s journey to the moon and additional developments in the space program overwhelmed the people. Despite the great strides that seem to make man omnipotent, with complete control over nature, seldom does he realize that he is unable to control his own mind. As a result of this, lack of self-control, extravagant lifestyles and the universally accepted capitalistic model of reckless progress have caused severe impact on nature. So the greatest challenge faced by the green movements and environmentalists around the world is to convince society of the importance of fundamental changes to engender a less exploitative system.
The enormous disparities between the rich and the poor and the concentration of wealth among a small percentage of the global population have created vast inequalities in the distribution of opportunities in the society in general and a feeling of insecurity among the common people. The poor and deprived, who are facing the brunt of the natural calamities due to Climate Change, are unable to ignite change, as they are always on the receiving end. At the same time, the middle class of the society, who are living a hand to mouth sustenance, are not prepared for a huge transformation since it will affect their only source of income. These feelings of insecurity and uncertainty create an enormous obstacle to change. Hence, to overcome the new challenges and crises that mankind will face due to the new policies to counter Climate Change, governments will have to implement essential policies that will provide financial security and take necessary confidence-building measures in the society.
Moreover, in the race to attract foreign investment and to ensure so-called economic growth, governments are rarely concerned about the consequences of the capitalistic model of economic growth on the environment. In the scramble to attract huge corporations, they don’t consider the negative affects of the projects to the environment which have further aggravated the climate crises. The governments have their own compulsions, like addressing the massive unemployment and improving the standard of living of its citizens. But the economic consequences of the natural calamities and diseases due to pollution only deteriorate the lives of the citizens. In order to prevent this, along with the regulations in economic activity that were mentioned in my previous article, governments and nations must implement necessary regulations to prevent projects that are detrimental to the environment and encourage investments in eco friendly projects.
As mentioned in my previous article, we cannot diminish the role wars and conflicts have played in devastating humanity and the environment. In order to prevent wars and conflicts, we have to overcome the infinite physical and mental boundaries that have divided mankind into many nations, religions and creeds. As we know, the current crises of Climate Change will affect humanity as a whole. The natural calamities and disasters know no borders and boundaries and strike all the countries irrespective of creed or race. So, humanity as a whole must be united in countering this threat to the well being of all.
Finally, we must emphasize the importance of countering the threats of Climate Change and promoting sustainable development by action at the grassroots level. Inaction is not an option. If we postpone and continue to debate, we will reach a stage where the only viable topic to debate will be whether we are headed for the end of modern civilization or passing through the sunset of human existence on the face of the earth.
The silent shores of Acheh in Indonesia have a message and a warning for the whole of humanity. Once upon a recent time there flourished a society that was vibrant with life and culture with all the diversities, relationships and traditions to relish. On one December morning in 2005, this beautiful society vanished when it was wiped away by the sea. No word is enough to express the magnitude of this incident. Let this remain in our hearts….
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