Can we dare to
change?
''Beauty will save the world'', is Dostoevsky's
famous quote in his famous novel ''The Idiot''. But are we ready to reflect our
internal beauty by taking real measures to prevent environmental catastrophe? Consider
the following statistics:
·
2014 was
the hottest year ever registered since the beginning of 1880 records according to NOAA
·
In 2013
global carbon dioxide emissions increased by 2％, that is 2.5 ％ in the USA
and 4.5 ％in China
·
A 5％ decrease of the
annual Arctic sea ice area over the last 25 years
These
are some of the consequences of climate change that we are facing.
Today
we are facing the greatest changes ever in the planet's history. We are
challenged with an environmental global crisis. Climate change is already a
fact. But are we ready to fight it and to find any possible solutions? This is
the biggest question of the century. Is it possible to make any significant
changes in our consumer habits in everyday life? Or make a choice for better
living and conserving the Earth's existence for the future ahead?
''GRAIN
OF HOPE''
Companies are responding to climate
change but is it a marketing strategy or a moral engagement? Many are adopting
a 'greener' way of development. More commonly known as 'green screening'. They
have decided to develop a more sustainable business model in order to respond
to global environmental concerns. This also has an overall impact on the global
market, increasing competitiveness, leading more companies to adopt the idea of
''going green''.
FORD
The company has distinguished
itself from its competitors by launching the
2008 Ford Escape with 100 ％ recycled seating material. Another initiative
was the introduction of the first clean diesel engine which complied with the best emission standards. Ford was
ranked the Best Global Green Brand
for 2014 among 50 companies according Deloitte,
a British consulting firm. The car manufacturer already produces electric vehicles-
hybrids and battery powered cars, such as the Focus Electric.
The Sustainable Starbucks
Another very well known brand- the
American cafe chain Starbucks has implemented a whole range of environmentally
friendly changes. Such as new water safety and a recycling system with reusable
cups was introduced in 2009. The company also adopted a new strategy of
reducing carbon dioxide emissions. These measures were highly appreciated by
consumers and it has been ranked third on EPA's National Top 20 retail list of the
biggest green power buyers.
''
DAZZLED BY THE AMBITION TO GROW''
Our major problem today is the
high consumption of oil and coal in order to produce energy and satisfy the
growing demands of the population. Moreover big businesses are focusing on the
short-term with the main goal of seeking profit resulting in more investments
concentrating on sectors such as energy production, which contributes towards
global warming.
Canada's controversial oil sands
Today one of the biggest reserves
of oil sands is found in Canada, mostly in Alberta. On the one hand, oil sands
have a positive impact on the Canadian economy producing large profits. But on
the other hand the process of extracting the oil is extremely costly and polluting
as it produces greenhouse gases. In the
extraction process a great quantity of water is used in order to separate the
bitumen from the oil sands. As the water contains dangerous chemicals, it is
placed in big tailing ponds which very often leak into the environment,
contaminating the rivers. The problem is that oil companies do not want to
accept the negative effects of this type of oil, defending their position and
promoting oil sands. Furthermore oil sands were recently qualified as
conventional oil by a directive adopted by the EU Fuel Quality Directive.
China's war against pollution
China is one of the greatest
emitters of greenhouse gases and its government has been criticised for being
passive in terms of environmental issues while concentrating its efforts on
economic growth. However, there is a real need to cut coal production as air
pollution and water pollution have a direct negative impact on the environment
and people. As a result each year 1.6 million Chinese people die from the
effects of pollution.
In conclusion, we are already
facing the biggest threats to the destruction of our planet. It is in our
responsibility to take measures and prevent any possible catastrophic
consequences. The decisions taken during the COP 21 conference will be very important. The conference will be held in
Paris at the end of November in which leaders and delegations from all over the
world will discuss climate change and try to find a consensus on limiting
greenhouse gases from 2020 onwards. The time for change has arrived but are we
up for the challenge to change in order to save our world?
F. Cholakova
I know that the air pollution is very grave in China, especially in the north cities. Recently, I read a report which has indicated that the air pollution causes 4000 deaths a day on average, representing 17% of the total number of deaths in China. This figure does really scare me, and I’m very worried about this issue. I think you are right, the companies, the government, and everyone of us should do something to protect our earth. Otherwise, we could be the next victim.
ReplyDeleteBAO Mengwei
Hello Bao,
DeleteYes, figures are really scary. However air pollution is not only China's problem but other countries as well such as India and USA. I think that politicians should take rigorous measures in order to fight climate change. Society should contribute as well as a huge pourcent of the human activity is responsible for global warming. We should change our behaviour, for instance recycling more , using clean energy and buying organic.
F. Cholakova
Thank you for this thought-provoking article. To be honest, I have a very pessimist point of view concerning the future of the environment. This year - especially during the law lectures - I discovered that the world we are living in was almost every time led by economic purpose. I think this is terrible.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think the environment doesn't get away from it, and as long as the businessmen found interest in fossil fuel and in polluting material, the world will face climate change and global warming.
I apologise for defeatist point of view. Yet, I still hope that someday, economic interests won't rule the world anymore, and that we will finally be able to face our responsibilities toward our planet.
Charline C.
It is interesting to see how companies respond to this 'environmental crisis'. I think the main problem is that nations have developed using profit as a base rather than sustainability, and now we can see the consequences of that choice. But supply and demand go together, and the problem today is that we are all used to this mass consumption system, our whole economy is based on it so it is difficult to change - but not impossible, as your article points out.
ReplyDeleteIrène L.