Countdown to Armageddon?

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Countdown to Armageddon?

25 Jan 2009

In this session, the panel debate the causes of climate change and ask: is global warming the most significant problem the world is currently facing? And if so, how long do we have to implement the measures necessary to prevent it, or slow it?

Eric Bettelhiem introduces this debate by arguing that the main cause of climate change needs to be analysed – not just the symptoms. In truth, it is the predicted rise in global population that looks likely to pose the greatest problem. As the world’s population increases, particularly in the developing nations, the populations of these countries are going to expect a higher standard of living, and achieving this will only exacerbate global warming. However, Viscount Monckton and James Woudhuysen both share the view that climate change has been exaggerated, stating that the situation is not as serious as it is being presented by the scientists. They suggest the data shows that the planet is not undergoing a of catastrophic period of change, but rather experiencing the natural variations in climatic cycles.

However, in this debate it is established that climate change is happening, (whether or not it is due to carbon emissions from humans), and that immediate action must be, and can be, taken to prevent any further danger to the planet. As Mohan Munasinghe stresses, sustainable development is the key way to overcome the persistent problems of poverty, economic issues and environmental consequences. He argues that all of these problems are linked, and that now is the perfect time to tackle them. All of the speakers suggest that, as a society, we must overcome the political and social issues in order to keep climate change at bay. They agree that it is the poor leadership of government and the complexities of international politics that has stopped us from dealing with the problem. Climate change is a problem that must be faced as a global community, not just as individuals, and this is why it is the greatest challenge that mankind has yet to face.