Geography(Environment)

Discuss the causes of global warming,its consequences, the solutions and the problems that hinder the solutions attempted.

A biodiversity crisis, Hurricane Katrina's wake of destruction, China's severe floods, and many more climatic disasters foreshadow a serious global environmental crisis. Many environmental studies worldwide produce incriminating evidence that global warming is the main culprit behind these "mischief". Global warming is the heating up of the Earth that is caused by increased emission of heat trapping gases like carbon dioxide. The rising of global temperatures has dire repercussions for many, among them a stream of devastating natural disasters. Rising sea levels and melting ice caps threaten the very existence of low-lying countries. Many environmental activists and governments worldwide are increasingly concerned about the severity of the situation and have undertaken a few measures to combat global warming. The Kyoto Protocol is one of the most high profile initiatives mooted by the United Nations. There are also many informal conferences that have non-binding treaties to allow for flexibility.

Over the past few centuries, because of the Industrial Revolution, the way things work has changed tremendously. Great leaps in technology have brought with it the increased consumption of fossil fuels in factory production that drastically increase the amount of heat trapping gases in the atmosphere. Also, rising affluence in the world has seen the rapidly burgeoning rich and middle classes owning a large number of cars. The amount of carbon dioxide and other gases emitted from vehicle and factory exhaust are significant enough to exacerbate global warming. To aggravate the problem, Earth's very own carbon sinks-the trees are being depleted at an alarming rate. Forests the size of hundred football fields are being levelled daily. There is increasing production of carbon dioxide and a decreasing number of trees to remove the carbon dioxide produced. As a result, the Earth has been warming up considerably.

Consequences:
Melting Arctic and Greenland ice caps increase sea levels tremendously.
Rising sea levels, threatening low-lying countries like Singapore's existence.
The tiny pacific island nation of Tuvalu looks set to become a victim of global warming, with the entire country predicted to be washed away in 50 years
Global warming increase the spreading of pathogens
Many natural disasters claim many lives and cause significant property damage

Solutions:
Kyoto Protocol-sets legally binding targets for developd countries to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming by 2012. More than 140 countries have signed it.
Problem to solution: World's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, America, has refused to ratify the protocol, saying that such moves will impact the US economy negatively. Kyoto Protocol won't achieve much effect.
The Protocol only requires developed economies to sign it. As such, even if current environmental targets are applied, gas emissions will still grow by almost 50% during the next 2 decades. China is 2nd only the the US in its polluting activities and has to be included for the protocol to achieve its desired effect.