This paper presents a critique of three stories posted in living on earth website as one if their featured programs. The stories selected for this paper include; India’s solar power plan, pollination in trouble worldwide and sustainable coffee keeps the planet in the black.
“India's solar power plan limped by the U.S."
There are some provisions in the India’s National Solar Mission that were found to defy rules that guide international trade. The provisions were discovered by the World Trade Organization after a complaint filed by the U.S. This feature story demonstrates how the ruling by the World Trade Organization on the issue could affect India’s mission to reduce global warming emissions. Additionally, the feature questions the degree of the US commitments to support the developing world in fighting climate change. India pledged to reduce its global warming emissions through the use of alternative renewable sources such as solar power (loe.org). Their plan to implement the pledge relies on the local production of solar cells. The country requires that ten percent of solar panels should be produced locally. According to a complaint filed by the US to the World Trade Organization, India’s requirement of at least ten percent local production of solar panels is a violation of the world trade agreement since it is a retrain of trade.
The complains by the US about a domestic trade clause on India's solar panel plan is contradictory to its pledge to support the developing countries in their effort to reduce global warming gasses. It is rather sad that the US is mainly concerned with a trade clause that ensures the production of ten percent solar panels within India rather than their effort in reducing global warming emissions in pursuit of a sustainable planet. The article presents the issue in a coherent a clear manner. The content of the article is relevant since it marks the effort and challenges currently faced by developing nations in the fight to reduce their global warming emissions (loe.org).
“Pollination in trouble worldwide."
The significance of pollination to agriculture and food production is without a doubt tremendous. Plant pollination is supported by various insects such as butterflies, bees as well as birds. A report that is sponsored by United Nations has indicated that pollination is in trouble. It outlines various threats that pollinators such as insects and birds are facing across the globe. The threats range from the destruction of their habitat to the use of pesticides. Also, in the list of possible threats faced by the pollinators include chaotic weather, habitat loss, and climate disruption. Pollination by various pollinators is significant for a sustainable earth since it facilitates the plant and food production, thus food security. It presents the current activities that threaten pollinators and provide possible solutions (International Living).
“Sustainable coffee keeps the planet in the black."
In most cases, the growth of coffee has always been linked to deforestation. This article discusses how marketing strategies can be employed through Sustainable Coffee Challenge to reduce the production cost as well as shift production towards a framework that strengthens supply chain, saves forests and drives the local economy (loe.org). The article seeks to identify and alter the way coffee is grown and produced to save the earth. While coffee is significant in activating our system, its growth leads to deforestation which is not sustainable for the planet. The degree of deforestation as a result of coffee growing is significant; however, the mitigation techniques suggested in the article does not suffice the fight against deforestation in ensuring a sustainable earth. All in all, the proposed approaches present positive change irrespective of the amount (loe.org).
Works Cited
International, Living. "Living On Earth: India’S Solar Power Plans Hobbled By US". Living on Earth. N.p., 2016. Web. 5 Mar. 2016.
International, Living. "Living On Earth: Pollinators In Trouble Worldwide". Living on Earth. N.p., 2016. Web. 5 Mar. 2016.
International, Living. "Living On Earth: Sustainable Coffee Keeps The Planet In The Black". Living on Earth. N.p., 2016. Web. 5 Mar. 2016.
