How can we protect the planet?

Yi Rong
Meridian Junior College
Singapore

Over the past century, because of globalisation and industrialisation, many countries have been exploiting their environment. The result of this has been that a tremendous amount of damage has been done to our planet Earth. If humankind continues to disregard its actions towards the environment, planet Earth might become unsuitable for life in the years to come. Saving our planet is one of the most pressing problems that has been discussed in recent decades, but more has to be done to protect Earth from further damage. In the following essay, the three main problems that will be discussed are global warming, scarcity of energy resources and land pollution.

The first pressing problem faced by our planet Earth is that of global warming. Global warming refers to an increase in the Earth's temperature as a result of increased greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. With development, more and more industries are springing up in the Economically Less Developed Countries (ELDCs) and the Newly Industrialised Economies (NIEs), such as India and China. Similarly, due to an increase in the standard of living in the Economically More Developed Countries (EMDCs), such commodities as airconditioners and vehicles are being more widely used. Industries emit harmful sulphur dioxide gas, while vehicles and airconditioners result in the emission of carbon dioxide because of the burning of fuels. The emissions of such gases have led to the problem of global warming, which, when exacerbated, would have detrimental effects on planet Earth. Such effects would include rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, melting of glacial ice caps, sinking of islands and eventually lead to the loss of biodiversity and the extinction of species.

In an attempt to solve the problem of global warming, countries have come together to sign the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted at the Third Conference of Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Tokyo, Japan, in December 1997. The Protocol provides for developed countries to have legally binding targets, which would reduce the overall emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels during the first commitment period 2008 to 2012. The Kyoto Protocol has since proved to be effective, as greenhouse gas emissions fell by sixty per cent in Seattle between 1990 and 2000. In addition, 156 cities have reduced their combined greenhouse gas emissions by 23 million tonnes. Besides the Kyoto Protocol, EMDCs, such as the UK, have also made other efforts to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, together with 181 governments, the UK signed the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention or Climate Change Agreement in March 1994. With the UK Climate Change Program, air pollutants have decreased in the UK, with an overall emission of greenhouse gases down by 14 per cent. However, there is no limit to saving our planet and we should make every effort to help our planet thrive for as long as it can. Therefore, simple acts such as heavier taxes, and saving electricity should be carried out to further reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, thereby protecting planet Earth from more damage.

The scarcity of energy resources is the next immediate problem faced by countries around the world today. As a result of industrialisation in the past, a great deal of fossil fuel has been extracted from our Earth to serve our energy needs, leaving little for use now and in the future. As our fossil fuels are depleting, the only solution left for countries worldwide to sustain their economic development is to seek alternative sources of energy. Alternative sources of energy include solar energy, geothermal energy and hydroelectric power. These alternatives, however, are costly and may not be available in every country. Geothermal energy, for instance, can only be found near volcanoes, hence countries such as Singapore would not have access to it.

In view of the need to sustain their industries (otherwise countries would fall back by five to 10 years in their economic development), countries, especially south-east Asian countries have decided on another alternative source of energy that is cleaner and cheaper than fossil fuels and the other alternatives mentioned above. This source of energy emits only 16 tonnes of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour, as compared to 356 tonnes for gas and 891 tonnes for coal. This alternative source of energy is nuclear power. Indonesia, for instance, will have its first nuclear power plant by 2020, Malaysia by 2015 and Vietnam will start its construction in Hanoi in 2015. However, at the mention of nuclear power, the heart-wrenching Chernobyl incident comes to mind. In April 1986, Chernobyl's nuclear power plant's number four reactor exploded, sending radioactive clouds across Europe. Approximately 15,000 people died as a result of the explosion. Hence, the detrimental effects of nuclear power can be easily seen. It is therefore important that every individual on this planet realises the importance of reducing our energy consumption. Singapore, for instance, has recently passed a law that all new buildings must meet the Green Mark Certification, and that the upgrading of buildings must incorporate energy-saving elements. In order to reduce energy consumption, every effort counts. Therefore, every country, not only Singapore or the UK, has to play a part in reducing energy consumption.

Lastly, the final problem that will be looked at in this essay is pollution. All around the world, our lands, seas and air are being polluted. Mismanagement of waste leads to land pollution, oil spills lead to pollution of our seas, and cars and aeroplanes lead to air pollution. What is more problematic is that these problems do not occur by themselves, but are interlinked with each other. Land pollution, for instance, causes toxins to contaminate water, hence leading to water pollution, which would again lead to a loss of biodiversity as our aquatic animals are affected. As such, pollution not only affects human health, but also leads to a loss of aquatic life.

Countries therefore have to look for solutions to manage their waste well and to control the extent of pollution of their environment. Japan, for instance, manages its industrial waste based on a Waste Disposal and Public Cleaning Law, which was enacted in 1970. The law sets specific disposal standards, and structure and maintenance standards for treatment facilities, including final disposal sites. This law has helped to reduce waste generation, promote recycling, establish a comprehensive waste management system and encouraged participation of the public to reduce environmental pollution through the appropriate management of waste. However, ELDCs, such as many of those in Africa, may face problems cleaning up their environment, as proper waste disposal systems require a large amount of funding. In such cases, the World Bank may step in to help fund the cleaning up of the country as this is for a good cause – to protect our environment from further damage. In addition, countries may also consider imposing fines on industries that do not dispose of their waste appropriately, so as to inculcate in them the importance of proper waste disposal.

To sum it all up, saving out planet requires the effort of every individual living on this Earth. Admittedly, attempts have been taken to reduce devastation to our already damaged Earth, but more has to and can be done to further salvage it. Any delay could lead to further destruction and negative consequences would have to be faced by the human race thereafter. In order for such efforts to work, there has to be a paradigm shift in the mindset of people: no doubt a country's development is important, but our environment is crucial as well. Without our environment to provide us with what we need, we would not have come this far already. Therefore, procrastinate no more and save the planet today. Every effort counts.

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