Opinion | Columnists
Doomsday in our time? It's up to us
There are clear differences in Western and Eastern concerns. These differences may stem from cultural, scientific or development perceptions and social differences.
- By Mohammad Akef Jamal, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 November 13, 2006
- Image Credit: Illustration by Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News
There are clear differences in Western and Eastern concerns. These differences may stem from cultural, scientific or development perceptions and social differences. There are also differences in how the two worlds would like to view the relationship between man and the environment.
Another indication of divergent thinking in such matters is reflected in the levels of interest aroused by a report published by the British government concerning the catastrophe awaiting our planet if global warming is not contained.
The report evoked little consternation in the Middle East; the media didn't clamour for action.
In contrast, Western media organisations mirrored a sense of overwhelm at the report's scientific, political, economic, environmental and social connotations.
Politicians, econo-mists, scientists and others had opinion to voice.
Unchecked
The report warned that unchecked global warming would devastate the world economy on the scale of the World Wars and the Great Depression and portented drastic climate change driver by the greenhouse effect.
In the British government's view, we may soon reach the point of no-return. "It is not in doubt that, if the science is right, the consequences for our planet are literally disastrous," said British Prime Minster Tony Blair. "This disaster is not set to happen in some science fiction future many years ahead, but in our lifetime."
The report predicted that, going by current trends, average global temperatures would rise by 3.6 to 5.4 degrees within the next 50 years or so.
Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, declining crop yields, drinking water shortages, higher death tolls from malnutrition and heat stress, and widespread outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever would signal a change for the worse.
Unabated climate change would eventually cost the world between 5 per cent and 20 per cent of global gross domestic product each year.
The West's concern must ring a bell for the Middle Eastern governments and peoples. If London was to drown today, the Middle East would already have been submerged what with the land mass in this part of the globe not too far above above sea level.
Developing countries will be left to bear a far greater cost, incapable as they are economically to face the repercussions of such a grave crisis. The many strategic capabilities and work methods to face up to such an emergency would also be severely stretched.
There remains one opportunity though - enlist the cooperation of the major energy-consuming countries. The British PM and the report emphasise that, no matter what Britain, the US and Japan do, the battle against global warming cannot succeed without finding consensus on control of greenhouse gas emissions by fast-industrialising giants China and India.
Making available sufficient funds to address this problem before it is too late, utilising new economic planning to generate less carbon dioxide, implementing new taxes and restricting the use of carbon products could go a long way.
More funds for research in this area and a return to the Kyoto international treaty of 1997 to reduce greenhouse gases would also be advisable.
International effort
Chancellor of Exchequer Gordon Brown, who is tipped to replace Blair as prime minister next year, said Britain would lead the international effort against climate change, establishing "an economy that is both pro-growth and pro-green."
He called for Europe to cut its carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2050 - and Blair's government has said it will propose a British law to this effect.
Bush kept America - by far the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases - out of the Kyoto international treaty, saying the pact would harm the US economy.
Blair made his displeasure with US policy clear when he signed an agreement this year with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to develop new technologies to combat the problem.
The measure imposed the first emissions cap in the US on utilities, refineries and manufacturing plants in a bid to curb the gases that scientists blame for warming the Earth.
Dr Mohammad Akef Jamal is an Iraqi writer based in Dubai.
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