Reod the followinq orquments ond olternative oryuments ondJill in the examples where necessory

1.

concept/lssue: Responding to Global warming

Question: How responsible is Mankind in protecting the environment?

Answer: A number of international bodies have been set up to research on global warming, and more recentlv a series of treaties have been established to help curb the emission of greenhouse gases, The most important ofthese was the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. However environmentalists feel that it does not really address the threat of global warming, while many in industries feeL that it is an unnecessary burden. Ultimately, globalwarming demands a world wide response but a global
consensus remains far off-

There are environmentalists and various movements Like the Green Peace Movement that act as watchdogsforthe preservation ofthe

ManV such movements lack credibility as they have other agenda besides protecting the envllonmpnl moiivated po (ibly by polilr( .

lndustries are also more receptive to the call look after the environment as they exploit

lo

Prolil-d vpn inou.trie, hdve not bdldn, cd rheir need for wealth with our exploitation ofthe

There ls global effort to encourage people to recycle, reuse and to conserve.

There is a wrong attitude that the earth is resilient Therefore, there is no urgency or consistent effort to change and help to manage the earth better.

2.

Concept/lssue: Responding to Global Warming

Do

question:

the rich and privileged hold

greater responsibility to tackle environmental

Answer: According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, protecting the environment would be a concern of the rich and more developed nations because of their emphasis on quality of life Whereas the poor would be more concerned with making ends meet, paying more attention to industrialization opportunities. lt is the affluent and developed nations that are often to blame for the problems plagulng ihe environment. They therefore should bear responslbilitv to fix the environmental problems - and also model the way for the rest (who one day wlllioin the league of expanding industries) to exercise responsibility towards the environment

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Alternative views
It is the affluent and developed nations that are often to blame for the problems plaguing the

other developing nations are fast becoming the major contributors to environmental problems, Other developing nations are fast becominB the major contributors to environmental problems.
Poor countries also have an important responsibility towards the world. IVlany environmental problems respect no national borders; environmental problems in one country can easily cross physical borders and affect not only the country of origin.

Rich natlons have the financial resources and the political clout in their own countries and in the

internationalarena.

3,

Concept/lssue: Environment and Economy

Questioni Willeconomic development always be carried out at the expense ofthe environment?

Answer: since the 1980s, there has been a growing body of evidence to suggest that industrialisation is having an effect on the climate of the planet. lndustrialisation with iis countless new machines and technologies once again intensified the human role in shaping the course of environmenlal change. Economic development will always eclipse environmental issues. While there may be an increased awareness, we remain apathetic and our activities are stillexerting tremendous pressure on the environment,
Arcuments
Developed countries are unwilling to slow down economic growth for the environment. Developed and in particular developing countries are stilldependent on polluting energy sources like fossil fuels for its economic growth. Many developing countries are still dependent on the exploitation of ihe earth's resources for their economic survival. Eco-tourism channels resouraes away from other projects that could contribute more sustainable and realistic solutions to pressing environmental problems. Eco'tourism has helped to bring in foreign
exchange and at the same time plays a part in

However, while economic development has brought about environmental degradation, it need not always be atthe detrimentofthe environment. Many business corporations have succeeded and yet have committed to the environmenralcaus-a

environmental conservation.

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some countries adopt a wrong attitude, believing that the earth is resilient - it has always and will alwavs be able to cope with our callous actions Therefore, there is no urgency and effort to
change and develop sustainablY.

With the awareness that environmental problems

are global problems, more countries and

international organizations like UNEP would see the need help people in developingcountriesto find alternative work without having to rely on tra d itiona I act ivities that endangerthe earth

4.

Concept/lssue: Energy Crisis-Nuclear vs Renewable Sources

Earth? Question: ls nuclear power th best way to meet the ever increasing energy needs of Mother

Answer: There is much public fear about nuclear energy, fuelled by accidents such as Chernobvl and Three Mile lsland. However it is increasingly important as fossil fuels may run, making it necessary to depend on other energy sources. ln future, more governments may look into investing and relying on alternative sources in particular, nuclear energy, despite the fears surrounding it
Alternative views
Compared to fossil fuels, nuclear energy is clean ln contrast to nuclear power, renewable energy is both clean and safe.

As new technology becomes available to allow more efficient use of nuclear fuel, less nuclear

There is no secure, risk-free way to store nuclear

waste will be produced. Nuclear accldents are a result of human error, which can be avoided. Nuclear power expansion increases the risk of an accident.
Expanding nuclear power internationally would hugely increase the risks from terrorism and

lnternalional organisations are preventing countries from obtaining nuclear weapons,

nuclear weapons proliferation.

while nuclear power reactors are expensive to build, they are relatively cheap to operate.

Nucleaa energv is an expensive diversion from

ihe

task of developing and deploYing renewable energy and energy efficiency required for a low carbon future.

@SRJC GP

the {!iruside
5. concept/lssue: The Fallacy of
question:
ls the

Global Warming

threat of global warming exaggerated?

Answer: ln his new book, The State of Fear, Michael Crichton argues that the threat of global warming has been exaggerated by environmentalists. While there are many who question how unreaiistically magnified global warming has been, the effects of climate change may be increasingly palpable but measures and solutions are in place to control this phenomenon
Arguments Alternative views
The threat posed by global warming is indeed true

threat posed by global warming is likely to be exaggerated as the rise in the world temperature and supposed rise in sea levels is not uniform worldwide.
The

as

the rise in the wodd temperature is found to have direct correlation with the rise in sea levels,

and this may jeopardise the safety of some places

The possible risks brought about by the surge in the

Earth's temperature are dif{icult

even wilh
methods.

lhe use of

be verified, supposedly advanced

to

The possible impact caused by the increase in the world temperature is likely to be true as scientists and climatologists use rather reliable and advanced
methods to prove their hypothesis/stand.

The dangers which are supposedly brought about by the rise in world temperature are not neu as reflected in the history of mankind; they are just natural phenomenon that happen especially when

The potential dangers brought about by the rise in

mankind did not take sufficient precautionary

temperature across the globe are not at all exaggerated as they are very real, Direct manifestations of a widespread and longterm trend toward warmer global temperatures have already surfaced, especially in the past 5 years.

The supposed harbingers of the

negative consequences may also be brought about by other cha'l8e, in our cllmale, nol juci globalwarming.

The threat posed by the rise in the Earth' temperature is not exaggerated as we do have quite a number of events that serve as harbingers ofthe likely impact ofcontinued warming.

The threat may have been exaggerated because not all governments across the world are taking it very

The threat presented by

the rise in

global

seriouslv;

if

some of them can afford

to

pay lip

service to this threat in their quest for more economic development and unprecedented or governmental and organisational level. sustained industrialisation, the situation may not

temperature is definitely not overestimated as it is on the agenda of many important international and regional meetings throughout the world, at the

osnrccezooe

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be all that worrying.

6.

Concept/lssue: Greenhouse Gas-Trading of Quotas

Question: Should countries be allowed to buy greenhouse gas quotas from other countries and so, in effect, pay for the right to pollute more? Answer: A number of methods have been proposed in order to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, which Ieacl to global warming. The European lJnion has always favoured a carbon rax whereas the United States has supported Tradable Pollution Quotas (TPQ5). Each country in the TPQ scheme is iniiially permiited to produce a certain maximum amount ofeach polluting gas ConsequenilV,
countries, which wish to exceed their quotas, can buy the right to do so from other 'ountries lhat have produced less than their quota of polluting gases Given such an opportunity, some countries may exploit the system, which defeatsthe main obiective of TPQS

Arguments
Quotas arethe only practicalwayto reduce emissions of greenhouse gases globally. The emission ofgreenhouse gases affects the entire pianet regardless of where the gas is produced, validating the use of quotas to limit tota I amount of each polluting eas globallV. Quotas are necessaryto keep a tight rein on developed countries' industrial activities. Enforcement of quotas has been ignored as some countries abuse the protocol and produce more than their respective quotas,
Quotas are a cop out, given that countries simply have lo payto exceed them,

Developing countries have been excluded from the proto( ol. undermrning the ellicacV ol Pnforcing such quotas.

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Glossary
1

BioJuel

renewable resource that ls produced from biomoss, o recently living element such os onimals, plontlife or wood. one ofthe biggest potentiolforms

fype

oJ

of

biofuel is biodiesel, which lessens cors'dependence on gosoline.

corbon

The tongible impact someone's octivities will have on the environment, meosured

tootptint
3

in units of cofton dioxide produced.

One woy ta compensote for a corbon footprint, essentiolly by investing money in a proiect thot will benefit the environment ond cancelout the emission ofcarbon dioxide

Cotbon ollset

frcm

o certoin octivity.

Form oJ tronsportotion by which two or more people trovelto the same

destinotion togethet to rcduce the emissions of trovelling.

Climate chdnge

significont chdnge from one climotic conditlon to onother, such os tempercture of the Eofth over time. In some cosesl it hos been used synonymously with globdl wotming.
Term

fot

The wise use of naturol resources

(nutients, minercls, woter, plants, onimols,

etc). Plonned ot non oction to preserve living dnd non living resources.
7 Commonly referred to os the EPA, a government agencyfounded in 1970thot protects humon heolth ond the environment through programs fot consumets

An internotionologreement between 738 (ond gtowlng) developed countries to

wotktoword reducing greenhouse gos emissions thot cause climote chonge. lt wos originolly posses in 1997 in Kyoto, Japdn ond is set to expire in 2072. The United Stotes has signed but nat rotified the ogreement, meoning it is nonbindinq in the Us.

Note: Allmeonings ore within the context

ofthe environment. These words moy hove different mednings

in different contexts.