The seminar revolved around the topic climate change especially in global warming due to recent years' sharp increase of carbon dioxide gas (CO2). The speeches addressed feasible technology solutions to global warming and climate change, society associated obstacles in adopting them and lastly, the assessment and mitigation of climate change.
Various evidences were shown on the detrimental impact global warming had on earth which suggests severe consequences to the future generations of the problem is not tackled seriously in the near future. Comprehensive mathematical models to predict future earth's temperature which is proportional to greenhouse gas in the atmosphere was introduced.
Effects of enhanced global warming, factors affecting the earth's temperature and many more approaches to deal with it at individual, organization or international level and their respective obstacles were discussed. Climate change was repeatedly stressed as a global problem, which complicates the process of formulating a consensual solution due to dissimilar interest.
Technologies to capture and store CO2 or to block sun's radiation are technically feasible to curb global warming if utilized at certain minimum scale. However, due to political circumstances and perceived priorities, such technologies were not considered. If any results is to be expected from an effort, co-operation and selfless contribution from all parties are essential.
The reason why technologies exist but were not utilized might not lies on its technical issues but can be attributed to social acceptance or the environment. Technologies invented but not accepted by society or not practical in certain environment is worthless. This concludes that no system is self sustaining and interdisciplinary compromises are required for their adoption.
The speech by Dr Benjamin K. Sovacool on "Using STS to address Energy Problem" gave me a deep impression. Historical case studies proved that technical superiority does not equate to success, instead striking a balance in social, technical and environmental need is the key. This does not only apply to energy problems but to all happening issues.
Dr Sovacool's speech pointed out to us what we might have already known but have yet to realize. It is crucial to be socially and environmentally accepted if we are to propose a system or solution. To conclude, we could curb global warming in terms of technology, but not in the will and determination of oneself if they do not recognize the crisis and the need of an action.
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