An Inconvenient Truth

Global Warming has been a hot issue for the past few decades. However, how many people have ever taken it serious or looked closely at it? Global warming is not only a political issue, but also is a moral issue. If we allow it to happen, it is deeply unethical.

The Arctic is one of the canaries in the coal mine because it is one part of the world that is experiencing faster impact from global warming. The amount and extent and thickness of the Arctic ice cap have continuously declined. It has diminished by 40 percent in 40 years. It is a serious problem because ice can help to bounces off the sun's ray right back into space like a mirror. However, if the sun's ray hits the ocean, more than 90 percent will be absorbed. As the surrounding water gets warmer, it speeds up the melting of the ice so as to increase the temperature on our planet. Melting ice cap contributes to rising sea levels and threatening low-lying areas. Many of these areas will be immersed, such as Greenland, Netherlands, Beijing, Shanghai and Lower Manhattan.

It is never too late to slow down global warming. If everyone is willing to change and actually does something, we can address this problem effectively, such as using more efficient electrical appliances, other transport efficiency, renewable technology and carbon capture sequestration. They all add up and pretty soon we are below our 1970 emission. Moreover, if all countries ratify Kyoto Treaty, it can help to achieve the goal of stabilisation of greenhouse gas.