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.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Global Warming: Goverment Policies
Global warming is a threat to existence of mankind on the earth's crust. Nevertheless, it is no longer an unsolvable crisis which used to be, and still is the thought of many. Human technologies have advanced tremendously allowing us to curb global warming, yet none of them are utilized, at least to a significant scale. The reason lies on the will of people and their perceived priorities, whether politically, socially or individually.
Many policies were made based on the best interest to the country's economic growth, development and security without considering the bigger picture, the Earth. People knows about global warming, not all treats it as a crisis, and if one is to put their country's advancement on a scale in comparison to the seriousness of global warming, it would most probably turn out to be a one-sided win away from the crisis.
Many disregard, misinterpreted or were misguided by false information regarding global warming especially in developing countries such as mine, Malaysia. One's determination is the biggest asset in this context, and through proper education we could instill the awareness into our next generations. The Malaysia government should make it obligatory that our children go through such education.
A developing country should not rely too much on conventional coal energy due to its low cost. One might argue that developed countries should take the initiative but they are just evading the shared responsibilities. By encouraging renewable energy industry, Malaysia could utilize many of its advantageous landscapes such as high flow rivers to generate hydro-electricity. This would provide plenty of job opportunities, boosting the economy as well as fulfilling its energy consumption need.
To gradually abolish dirty energy in Malaysia in order to minimize the impact of changes, policies can be made to enforce carbon taxes, limiting a cap total of carbon emissions from industries and also regulate carbon dioxide gas (CO2) as a pollutant. An increase in petrol and coal tax would reduce dependency on them for energy generation.
Other than on the industrial level, the government could implement policies regulating the energy efficiency standards of automotive, heating and cooling devices, insulation of home or offices and also general home appliances such as lighting. Natural habitats should be conserved and policies should be made to enforce restricted deforestation and encourage forestry or vegetation growing as they help to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
Everyone plays a role but government takes on a bigger role in influencing its citizens' attitude towards the crisis. People must understand the severe consequences of global warming and their roles in the crisis then embrace the determination and take initiatives to curb the danger which is cultivating.
Many policies were made based on the best interest to the country's economic growth, development and security without considering the bigger picture, the Earth. People knows about global warming, not all treats it as a crisis, and if one is to put their country's advancement on a scale in comparison to the seriousness of global warming, it would most probably turn out to be a one-sided win away from the crisis.
Many disregard, misinterpreted or were misguided by false information regarding global warming especially in developing countries such as mine, Malaysia. One's determination is the biggest asset in this context, and through proper education we could instill the awareness into our next generations. The Malaysia government should make it obligatory that our children go through such education.
A developing country should not rely too much on conventional coal energy due to its low cost. One might argue that developed countries should take the initiative but they are just evading the shared responsibilities. By encouraging renewable energy industry, Malaysia could utilize many of its advantageous landscapes such as high flow rivers to generate hydro-electricity. This would provide plenty of job opportunities, boosting the economy as well as fulfilling its energy consumption need.
To gradually abolish dirty energy in Malaysia in order to minimize the impact of changes, policies can be made to enforce carbon taxes, limiting a cap total of carbon emissions from industries and also regulate carbon dioxide gas (CO2) as a pollutant. An increase in petrol and coal tax would reduce dependency on them for energy generation.
Other than on the industrial level, the government could implement policies regulating the energy efficiency standards of automotive, heating and cooling devices, insulation of home or offices and also general home appliances such as lighting. Natural habitats should be conserved and policies should be made to enforce restricted deforestation and encourage forestry or vegetation growing as they help to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
Everyone plays a role but government takes on a bigger role in influencing its citizens' attitude towards the crisis. People must understand the severe consequences of global warming and their roles in the crisis then embrace the determination and take initiatives to curb the danger which is cultivating.
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