The global economic crisis is dominating conversation and generating widespread concern. Financial issues seem to be pervading our thoughts on individual, national and global levels. Politicians and industry leaders are currently telling us our nation cannot afford to continue with the current goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yet the reduction of these emissions is vital to limit global warming.
But are fiscal concerns of such paramount importance that they override that of global warming? Is it legitimate that we, in all our ignorance and foolishness, continue to concentrate on our financial errors, when the world – our world – is at the brink of real disaster? It is amazing how apathetic we are to the dangers of global warming now facing us. Even more unfortunately, despite the knowledge of future perilous circumstances, governments are taking insufficient action. Will we act only when it is too late?
Left unchecked, global warming will wreak far worse economic destruction than the current financial crisis. In a continent with limited arable land, increasing droughts will cripple an already vulnerable farming industry. Rising temperatures will also devastate major tourist attractions, from our ski fields to ecological attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, who’s priceless and fragile ecosystems are facing annihilation by the middle of the century. The insidious effect of global warming on ocean temperatures not only threatens our fishing industry but is associated with an increase in natural disasters such as cyclones.
Were the economic and human costs of the recent Victorian bushfires not enough to ignite serious debate over the perils of ignoring increasing global temperatures and concomitant reductions in rainfall, which will inevitably lead to recurrences on an equally large scale? The predicted 100 percent increase in extreme bushfires by the year 2050 has still failed to motivate us significantly.
The dire predictions of continuing rises in temperatures of up to six degrees by 2100 apply to the earth as a whole. Australia’s already harsh environment means the changes are likely to be more significant. Average temperatures in our nation have already risen more than the rest of the globe. Predictions that the average temperature could rise by up to 6.4 degrees Celsius by 2070 in parts of New South Wales, with a forty percent drop in rainfall, spell disaster. The procession of “hottest years on record” continues relentlessly but fails to instigate significant action.
We are already witnessing the disappearance of delicate ecosystems in rainforests and coastal wetlands. The march of tropical diseases further south has already begun. Our own chances for long-term survival are diminishing. We need to stop being short sighted and stop thinking short-term. We urgently need action.
Scientists warn that we need to slash emissions of carbon dioxide, but governments seem reticent to take more that token action. Only when the public see the long-term perils of inaction, will they demand measures from our government and then, perhaps, progress will follow.
Electricity companies should be required to make greater use of renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and tidal energy. Car manufacturers should be compelled to reduce vehicle emissions, and greater incentives given for hybrid car production. Improvement of public transport is vital, as is the development of more environmentally sustainable homes.
Many more measures can be taken. It is up to us and we need to act now. Inertia is no longer an option if we are to avoid mankind being included on the “endangered species” list. Write, lobby, take action, make your voice heard, because we are running out of time and last chances. This really matters!
This article by Jonathan Hopkins, from Sydney Technical High School, was the Year 7/8 Winner in What Matters? 2009.
What Matters? is a writing competition, run by The Whitlam Institute, that gives year 5-12 students in NSW and ACT a chance to say what matters in society today. For more information go to: http://www.whitlam.org/whitlam/index.php
