Sirens sound in wake of extreme weather
China Daily  Updated: 2005-12-19 05:27

Few parts of the world have been spared from the destructive power of nature this year. No one can forget the scenes of people fleeing areas decimated by hurricanes and floods in Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

The reverberations of nature's brute force continue to rattle the world's psyche and raise questions about what we have done to the planet.

The series of disasters and erratic weather patterns are attributed by many to the consequences of global warming.

A broad scientific consensus states that gases accumulating in the atmosphere, by-products of automobile engines, power plants and other fossil fuel-burning industries, have contributed significantly to the past century's global temperature increase of one degree.

Research has shown warmer sea surface temperature, a result of global warming, strengthened hurricanes and major storms around the world.

Scientists warn that major climate disruptions will occur in coming decades, with glaciers melting, the Arctic ice cap shrinking, the oceans heating up and sea level rising.

Everything points to global warming as the culprit. This fact should focus minds whether towards trying to stop global warming or, if it is decided that climate change is unstoppable, working out the best ways to live with it.

The deal more than 150 countries hammered out in Montreal two weeks ago is essential for the present and the future. It is a watershed agreement on opening talks on mandatory reductions in greenhouse gases after 2012 when the Kyoto treaty on climate change, which binds developed nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, expires.

Climate change has exposed us to destructive natural rampages and is threatening the way of life of some inhabitants of the globe.

Inuit indigenous peoples with a hunting culture based in cold climates have been suffering from sunburn, falling through thinning ice and having difficulty tracking prey such as polar bears, seals and walruses.

In Montreal they filed a petition to a commission of the Organization of American States, saying climate change was tantamount to human rights abuse. Asking the United States to adopt mandatory limits on its emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants, factories and cars, it is a groundbreaking case for everyone living in this global village.

When nature loses its temper, it ignores borders. That is why we must work together to save the fragile environment.

Contributing the largest share of historical and current greenhouse gases, the developed countries are obliged to take the lead.

Our country is not free of the disasters caused by climate change. Seven strong hurricanes attacked our shores and caused havoc in some inland areas this year. Our meteorologists warn the temperature in China will rise by 0.2 to 3.7 degrees by the year 2020 and by 1.3 to 8.9 degrees by the year 2100.

Increasing temperatures imply a change in weather patterns.

The impact on our country will inevitably be severe droughts, more sandstorms and stronger hurricanes.

The government recently unveiled a five-year economic plan that stresses sustainable growth. It raises the target for reliance on renewable energy, which will account for 15 per cent of its national consumption.

This is an effort we have to make to ensure that our economy does not grow at the price of our environment.

The severity of the disasters climate change will visit upon us remains unknown. But if this year is any guide, we should all be alarmed at potential weather forecasts.

(China Daily 12/19/2005 page4)

Close