I. Identification of Global Social Issue
Global warming has been a controversial issue in international realm. Schweizer writes that “Global warming refers to the observed increase in the earth’s average surface temperature of ~1.0 C over the past 100 years” (Schweizer, 2005, p.75). Many scientists claim that the temperatures of the earth surface are on an up rise arguing that this might be detrimental in future. Some of the ways that scientists have been able to justify their claim is by arguing that the arctic ice caps have witnessed a large melt down in the recent past (Rockwell, 2006, p.34). Dickson explains that ‘although the vast majority of climate scientists now accept the causal connection between the rise in temperature , the public and many politicians are not convinced that policy changes and government regulation should mitigate this dangerous situation”(Dickson, 2010, p.534). Heads of state have convened in many international conferences to be able to reach to a consensus about the necessary policies towards addressing global warming. However, socio-economic differences have characterized these meetings. Many of the leaders in the developed world have agitated for the reduction of human activities that are believed to cause global warming arguing that it has to be a collective responsibility if the issue is going to be resolved. However, it is important to realize that efforts of reducing global warming require the input of resources in order to ensure their success. Considering that most developing nations have shaky economies, most of them would not want to involve themselves in activities that are likely to demand the use of resources. This is because they have other sensitive issues with developing countries that have to be addressed before the leaders of those countries begin to think about addressing environmental issues. For instance, Moeller explains that “the policy challenge for Asia’s political leaders is primarily to manage economic growth” (Moeller, 2010, p.14). This means that matters of the economy takes preference in developing nations compared to the solving of environmental challenges. To reinforce the idea that developing countries have other sensitive issues to handle other than global warming, Marks explains that “Thailand’s ongoing political crisis also diverts decision maker’s attention away from the issue of global warming” (Marks, 2011, p.229). Some of the key issues that have to be addressed include the issues of food security, security among other crucial issues that have to be addressed in order to enhance a better living for the people living in the developing world. On the contrary, the developed world has been able to improve the basic standards of living for their population and can therefore move ahead to address secondary issues such as global warming.
II. Population and Groups Affected by Global Warming Debate
It is essential to realize that as much as many environmentalists might see the efforts of solving global warming as being beneficial to all, it is important to understand that this is not the reality of the matter. The fact remains that there are groups and populations that are affected by negatively by these efforts. First of all, it is important to understand that most of the causes of global warming are usually human induced. Lewis writes that “proponents of manmade, or anthropogenic global warming(AGW) maintain that its primary cause is emissions of Carbon dioxide and other gases emitted into the atmosphere by the wide use of fossil fuels”(Lewis, 2009, p.231). Some of the key human activities that are known to cause global warming include carbon emissions. Carbon emissions, for instance, are released from activities like industrial manufacturing processes and also emissions from motor vehicles that run on crude products. As much as these activities are harmful to our immediate environment the fact remains that these activities are integral to the development of ours society. People have to drive on a daily basis to be able to get to their place of work so that they can be able to continue improving the economies of their respective countries.
Effect on Vehicle Industries
Environmentalists have argued that the current luxury vehicles that are used by many people should be substituted for smaller vehicles that are more sustainable. Some of the vehicles that have been prescribed by environmentalists are powered by electricity. Though these vehicles are considered to be environmental friendly, the fact remains that the total horse power that they are able to generate is not equivalent as to the amount of power that is produced by vehicles that run on crude oil . In addition, it is important to understand that shifting from a crude driven economy to cleaner sources of energy requires the adaptation of the existing infrastructure. For instance, the current infrastructure only sustains crude driven vehicles. This would mean that the existing gas stations would need to have special fueling points for electric vehicles. The construction of this new infrastructure would necessitate the input of more resources. This is an endeavor that many developing nations would not like to venture into because most of this countries experience financial difficulties. In addition, getting assistance from the developed world and other money lending would put the developing countries in a tight position of repaying the borrowed finances. It is therefore important to note that the current effects to reduce the human activities that cause global warming affects the developing world because it is difficult for these countries to be a position to cater for the costs of adapting their current infrastructure so that it can shifting to sustainable and cleaner sources of energy.
Effect on Oil producing Countries
It is also important to understand that though global warming is a global issue some of the nations’ economies rely on the same products that are believed to be causative agents for global warming. For instance, most of the countries in the Middle East depend on oil for their livelihood. Since the existing efforts of reducing global warming are calling for the use of cleaner sources of energy, it means that these countries face the risk of an economic meltdown because if the global energy market shifts towards cleaner sources of energy then it is going to be difficult for these countries to be in a position to get a market for their oil. This means that the current oil revenue that these countries generate is going to reduce if these countries favor measures that are aimed at reducing global warming.
Effect on Manufacturing Jobs and Investors
Most developed countries have begun to undertake measures to reduce global warming. Some of these measures include the reduction of carbon emissions. In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, industries and manufacturing businesses have been requires to reduce their levels of carbon emissions. This move has increased the cost of production for many companies because they have to improve their infrastructure so as to be in a position to contain these emissions. Some of the equipment that has been required for many companies includes the use of scrubbers that convert carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into water vapor which is not harmful to the environment.
III. Sociological Theory
The best social change theory that describes the issue of global warming is the functionalist theory. Under this theory, there is an urgent need to make adjustments in cases changes occur within the society. This means that because global warming is evident, it is inevitable for changes to occur in the lifestyles that people are living today so that they can reduce the problem that is currently at hand. However, for this change to occur there is a need for adjustments to be made so as to make sure that all parties benefit from the process. This would include the financing of the developing world in its efforts to embrace sustainable environmental protection practices.
Dickinson, M. (2010). Global warming. Choice, 48(3), 534-534. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/762514327?accountid=35812; http://linksource.ebsco.com/linking.aspx?genre=article&issn=00094978&volume=48&issue=3&date=2010-11- 01&spage=534&title=Choice&atitle=Global+warming&au=Dickinson%2C+M&isbn=&jtitle=Choice&btitle=
Lewis, J. D. (2009). History, politics, and claims of man-made global warming. Social Philosophy & Policy, 26(2), 231-271. doi:10.1017/S0265052509090232
Marks, D. (2011). Climate change and Thailand: Impact and response. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 33(2), 229-258. Retrieved from
Moeller, J. O. (2010). Asia redraws the map of progress. The Futurist, 44(5), 14-19. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/736165511?accountid=35812
Schweizer, D. M., & Kelly, G. J. (2005). An investigation of student engagement in a global warming debate. Journal of Geoscience Education, 53(1), 75-84. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/202779296?accountid=35812
