But they do not address the main problem. That is not to downplay the importance of technological solutions. Yet our world is in a worse condition environmentally than it has ever been. Never before in our history have we had at our disposal so much fantastic technology. What is abundantly clear is that the technological approach, important as it is, is not the solution on its own. Indeed this conference that is being held in Scotland will call for bringing forward the time frame for countries to arrive at net-zero emissions. These are all very positive steps and scientists should be complimented for their achievements and their continuing efforts.īut despite all of these marvelous technological advances the situation is deteriorating at a rapid pace. Scientists have also built cars and other motor vehicles that are not polluting the atmosphere. That is indispensable to our existence for we do need clean nonpolluting energy generation. We have heard talk and we have seen the implementation of new technologies, solar power, wind power, thermal power, nuclear power and much more to generate energy. In my view, it is because we have been putting forward only technological solutions to deal with the problem. We may well ask why has mankind failed to arrest the situation seeing that we know the causes and the cure. We have to understand nature's laws and co-exist with them. We must live more harmoniously with nature. We have to preserve and protect nature so that the Earth can sustain our activities. Carbon stored in forests, the oceans and in the earth is being released as we overexploit the resources of the world.Īdded to this is industrialization that has pumped millions of tons of toxic gases into the atmosphere. This has resulted in serious damage to the world's ecology. The cause is fundamentally due to human economic activities and the pursuit of wealth that is unsustainable. It breaks the heart to see how much suffering is caused by these phenomena. This is manifested in the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
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Despite the many convincing speeches that were made in the past, despite a full understanding of the cause of the problem and the cure, the situation continues to get worse. At all of these conferences commitments were made but not kept or only partially kept. Since 1995, the United Nations has convened 25 such conferences, this is the 26th. The world leaders have met on many occasions. Since the late 1960s and early 1970s scientists have been warning us about the terrible dangers that would befall us if we did not change our relations with nature. I say this because we have been warned about this situation for decades.
This issue is so important that it can spell the end of life as we know it on Earth and therefore demands immediate action, not just talk. World leaders assembled in Scotland last week to discuss one of the most pressing global problems, and one that concerns every person, which is the question of Climate Change. Addressing the climate crisis requires a fundamental change to the way we do business not just technological Band Aids