Global warming and climatic concerns

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our time. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability, and particularly so, since rapid climate change will impact on a range of human activities. These activities range from impacts on agriculture and further endangering food security, an anticipated further sea-level rise and the resultant accelerated erosion of coastal zones, and an increase in the intensity of natural disasters,.{{more}} Further, species extinction and the spread of vector-borne diseases are a few other natural consequences of rapid climate change.

Small multi-island nations like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Bahamas, the British and US Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, among others, must be warned that despite continuous debate about global warming and rising sea levels over the past two decades, there has been little concrete action to stem the climate change that threatens our existence. In light of the fact that we are facing possible disappearance off the map, what then is our next step? Will this be a case of quick action, or will we continue at a snail’s pace? These questions are timely, since climate change is not regarded just as an environmental issue. Instead, it must be viewed as having implications for economic growth and sustainable development.

Rapid climate change, as a result of global warming, can safely be considered as one of the most pressing environmental problems human kind may ever face. It would have a particularly negative impact on our tourism industry, which goes to the very heart of our economic advancement as a people. Our agriculture also would not be spared, since climate change has been blamed by many environmentalists and scientists for the severity of violent storms such as hurricanes that have repeatedly ravaged our region.

Did you ever stop to think that the exhaust from the car or truck that just drove past may be having a serious effect on your personal health and the environment? It is clear to all that there is an ever spiraling increase as it pertains to the number of vehicles on our nation’s roads. More vehicles are on the roads, yes, but are we spending more time to ensure that these are kept in a proper condition so as to avoid the extremely high levels of emission? When last have you driven behind a truck? As many observations indicate that the world’s climate has changed during the 20th century, the world at large can glaringly see changes in precipitation, cloud cover and extreme temperatures, which are quite evident in decreases in snow cover and ice extent and rising sea levels. As human activity is increasing significantly, the concentrations of some greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are on a rapid increase.

The issues of climate change lie in the fact that at the rate at which emissions are being produced, it will potentially make the earth warmer than usual. The faster the warming, the higher the possibility of large scale and possibly irreversible impacts. This led the United Nations General Assembly recently for the first time to devote an entire plenary session to the issue that greenhouse gases emissions world wide must be reduced in an attempt to raise awareness and momentum for action in preparation for the Secretary-General’s high level event recently on climate change, and to critically augment political action.

As the one hundred and eighty nine member states gathered at the 62nd Session, the high level debate was focused on calls for action to address issues of climate change, security and development. The essence of the conference was meant to pave the way for a new global treaty on further emission reductions, following the expiration of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012, which is an agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2%.

As of 2005, the records reflect that the United States historically was the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, with the state of Texas producing approximately 1.5 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Researchers and experts believe that with emissions from the People’s Republic of China at about 54% of the USA, they may soon be exceeding the United States. Interestingly, among the countries that have not ratified the protocol is the United States, as the Senate decided that they should not be a signatory to any protocol that did not include binding targets and timetables for developing, as well as industrialized nations.

While President Bush supports the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, he is not in agreement with the exemption granted to China, and is in opposition because serious harm to their economy will ensue if he does ratify it. Other countries, like India and China, which have ratified the protocol, are not required to reduce carbon emissions under the present agreement. Either way, we have to assess the impact on the Caribbean region, since the Kyoto Protocol is non-binding on the United States, unless ratified, and China has been exempted. Undoubtedly, political action is necessary if we are to protect our environment, secure our planet and safeguard our future for our children and generations to come.

Some of the indirect impacts of issues of rapid climate change include malnutrition, globally, which is expected to be exacerbated further by the reduced length of the growing season, 50 per cent reduction in yields from rain-fed agriculture crops. Further, 75 to 250 million people in Africa would be exposed to increased water stress by 2020, and coastal settlements would be at risk as a result of inundation and erosion. Climate change would also have an adverse effect on biodiversity, with many species at risk of extinction.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is predicted that hurricanes and tropical storms will increase in intensity. With twenty six tropical storms and fourteen hurricanes, the 2005 hurricane season was rated as one of the most active and destructive in recent times. What would sea level rise mean for many of our beautiful beaches?

We will have to cope with and adapt to the consequences of climate change. Economic losses can be expected, especially in poorest regions. Where does the solution lie? We must continue to aim at cementing a strong political will to push forward negotiations over a new climate change regime, as our future depends on it.