One of the most important ecological problems of the last decade is the global warming of the earth, in fact most scientists agree that the earth has gained about one half to one degree Fahrenheit. The consequences will be dramatic: floods, enormous storms, catastrophic ecological changes. For example the Kilimanjaro ice cap has lost about 80% of its volume during the last twenty years, floods are becoming more and more frequent and destructive all over Europe. Everyone in the world, individuals and firms, should take responsibility for reducing global warming, and know the different solutions available in order to apply them. In the industrial domain, the main solutions are partnership programs, the use of clean energy and energy efficiency increase. The individual solutions are waste management, energy home saving and transportation. The problem of the warming of the earth comes from the well-known greenhouse effect. When some specific gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and many others in low concentrations) are emitted into the atmosphere, it increases the reflection of sun rays against the clouds, and as a result the air is warmer.
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Sommaire de l'exposé
L'environnement, une nouvelle dimension des relations internationales: prise de conscience et recherche de solutions
Problèmes en cause et objectifs du sommet de Rio en 1992
De Rio à Kyoto et à Buenos Aires, la difficile recherche d'un équilibre équitable entre environnement et développement
Le Nord et le Sud ont des intérêts divergents
Le concept de développement durable tente de concilier environnement et développement mais de nombreux problèmes demeurent
Extraits de l'exposé
[...] In developed countries, the governments could oblige everyone to act now against the global warming, for example by voting new laws. More conferences like the one in Kyoto should be organised to push governments to act more quickly. It is not too late to reverse the tendency of rising temperatures, and prevent all its dramatic consequences. Every sector can act industries, individuals and governments should be informed by organisations about the severity of the problem, and what solutions to apply. [...]
[...] Earth global warming, any solutions? One of the most important ecological problems of the last decade is the global warming of the earth, in fact most scientists agree that the earth has gained about one half to one degree Fahrenheit. The consequences will be dramatic: floods, enormous storms, catastrophic ecological changes. For example the Kilimanjaro ice cap has lost about 80% of its volume during the last twenty years, floods are becoming more and more frequent and destructive all over Europe. [...]
[...] Most organisations agree that clean energies limit global warming, but nuclear power has raised a debate. According to most governments (France, the U.S., Germany, and Great Britain) this energy is totally free from greenhouse gases, therefore it isn't dangerous for the global warming, but some scientists have demonstrated that nuclear power does not necessarily imply lower carbon dioxide emissions.[iii] Indeed a nuclear power station releases many gases, such as CO2. The problem is that many governments have decided to extend nuclear power production, which will increase energy efficiency, and as a result, indirectly it should reduce the release of CO2, or any other greenhouse gases. [...]
[...] Finally recycling waste is important, but it is not the only way to act individually against global warming at home. The work of the EPA and its Energy Star label is to inform individuals that there are many products that use too much polluting energy such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, heating and cooling equipment, televisions, VCRs, and audio equipment. This list is absolutely not exhaustive. Great savings on the environment and on money could be made if everyone bought products with the Energy Star label. [...]
[...] First of all, individuals should be aware of waste management. Indeed waste indirectly increases the greenhouse effect. If in every home of developed countries waste was recycled and the amount of waste was reduced to the 1990 level, the greenhouse effect would be reduced by 11.6 million metric tons of carbon equivalent.[x] Individual action is, for example sorting waste like papers, aluminium cans or glass, etc. The sorted waste can then be used to produce energy more cleanly. Indeed manufacturing objects from recycled materials needs less energy than producing ones from virgin materials. [...]
Économie, administration & politique