Global Warming, as you all know, is a serious problem for this generation and the following ones. As an American living in Massachusetts I am aware of the fact that the United States has not agreed with the Kyoto protocol. Our President, George W. Bush, has said that such a string on laws and guidelines for harmful emissions, mainly Carbon Dioxide, will put an enormous strain on our economy. As a result, I am appalled by the lack of decisive action in our government to combat this very real threat. John Howard has also decided to veto the Kyoto Protocol, his rational being that “It will cost too many Australian jobs.” Personally I would like to know how anyone else in the world, preferably Australia, feels about this.
I know of the effects of global warming in Australia, considering the fact that I am currently researching the two topics, them being Australia and Global Warming. The Great Barrier Reef is losing its color every day, being “bleached” by the unnaturally warm Coral Sea water. Furthermore, Australian Agriculture is taking some serious hits. The desert land of Australia gains more and more land every year and threatens the farmable lands of New South Wales and Queensland. As a result of extreme drying in some areas, other areas of Australia are getting drenched in rain and experiencing flash floods. The Australian Government has recently given 300 Million dollars to reduce emissions and develop “green” technology over the next few years. The CO2 levels in the earth’s atmosphere have skyrocketed to an astounding 383 parts per million, compared to 310 parts per million in 1960. Some may say that it has only risen 73 PPM in the past 5 decades. However, before the surge in automotive and industrial pollutants (post WWII), it used to take a couple centuries to rise 73 PPM. I am reluctant to say that, yes, the majority of this has been the fault of the United States and our overuse of fossil fuels. From an international standpoint it would be great to see how anyone out there thinks of us. I would like to know anyone’s ideas, arguments, or concerns regarding the topic.