When I picked up the February 2007 edition of Newsweek, the first article that I really bothered to look at was this. The headline really caught my eye. I mean, I have seen many articles about how we could play our part to stop global warming. But this article was different. It brought a whole new, slightly pessimistic view into the public which I found strangely refreshing. I like the author’s way of thinking; it is more realistic than others.
Since I was born or more accurately, when I realised what was going on in the world, one of the major issues has always been global warming. Whenever I would see an article about it, there would always be information about what I could do to help. Upon reading those articles, I would think that it was all rather pointless to do anything about it and now, someone who’s view would be taken seriously has brought forth my point (coincidentally his point too).
Right now, the temperature is quite steadily rising and over the past four years, we have succeeded in recording the hottest years ever in the past 10 to 15 years. Over the past century, the level of greenhouse gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, has spiked by almost 505 and 30% respectively. There have also been predictions that by the end of a hundred years, the temperature could have risen by between 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Centigrade. If this goes on, places like Bangladesh and small islands would face serious problems if the sea level continues to rise. Also, a decrease in agricultural production may follow due to reduced rainfall. However, not all points of view are bleak as some countries could actually have an increase in production due to higher levels of carbon dioxide, which could help certain crops grow better.
No matter what we try to do to fight global warming, many agree that there would still be no use as the level of greenhouse gases would inevitably continue rising due to the fact that in today’s world, technology which sustains industries and our lifestyles requires so much energy to work. And with this energy consumption, more gases would be produced, for example, in China and India where energy would come from the burning of fossil fuels. Basically, we cannot do anything to stop or even to slow down global warming.
Since I was born or more accurately, when I realised what was going on in the world, one of the major issues has always been global warming. Whenever I would see an article about it, there would always be information about what I could do to help. Upon reading those articles, I would think that it was all rather pointless to do anything about it and now, someone who’s view would be taken seriously has brought forth my point (coincidentally his point too).
Right now, the temperature is quite steadily rising and over the past four years, we have succeeded in recording the hottest years ever in the past 10 to 15 years. Over the past century, the level of greenhouse gases, mainly methane and carbon dioxide, has spiked by almost 505 and 30% respectively. There have also been predictions that by the end of a hundred years, the temperature could have risen by between 1.1 to 6.4 degrees Centigrade. If this goes on, places like Bangladesh and small islands would face serious problems if the sea level continues to rise. Also, a decrease in agricultural production may follow due to reduced rainfall. However, not all points of view are bleak as some countries could actually have an increase in production due to higher levels of carbon dioxide, which could help certain crops grow better.
No matter what we try to do to fight global warming, many agree that there would still be no use as the level of greenhouse gases would inevitably continue rising due to the fact that in today’s world, technology which sustains industries and our lifestyles requires so much energy to work. And with this energy consumption, more gases would be produced, for example, in China and India where energy would come from the burning of fossil fuels. Basically, we cannot do anything to stop or even to slow down global warming.
Try as we might to delay the inevitable, what we need to do as the article states., is to prepare for this rise in temperature. To prepare for floods in some places, maybe even Singapore. Instead of everyone rushing in to try to stop adding to the problem, we should all just get ready for what is to come.
If you read the last part of his essay, he says "the crucial need is to stop talking and start acting" which is less pessimistic compared to your ending!
ReplyDeleteperhaps for interpretation you could talk about why he chooses such a headline and such a pessimistic tone. after all these are facts and figures that can be found in most global warming reports--what made you choose his article to respond to?
also now that we know these facts? what next? what can we do to save the world? need to react/respond...