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

lndustries are also more receptive to the call

look after the environment as they exploit

Prolil-d vpn inou.trie, hdve not bdldn, cd rheir

need for wealth with our exploitation ofthe

lo

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.

There ls global effort to encourage people to

recycle, reuse and to conserve.

2.

ManV such movements lack credibility as they

have other agenda besides protecting the
envllonmpnl moiivated po (ibly by polilr( .

Concept/lssue: Responding to Global Warming

question:

Do

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.

Rich natlons have the financial resources and the

political clout in their own countries and in the

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.

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.

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

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

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.

4.

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

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.

lnternalional organisations are preventing

countries from obtaining nuclear weapons,

Expanding nuclear power internationally would

hugely increase the risks from terrorism and

nuclear weapons proliferation.

while nuclear power reactors are expensive to

build, they are relatively cheap to operate.

Nucleaa energv is an expensive diversion from

carbon future.

@SRJC GP

ihe

task of developing and deploYing renewable

energy and energy efficiency required for a low

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

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 threat posed by global warming is indeed true

The possible risks brought about by the surge in the

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

The

Earth's temperature are dif{icult

even wilh

lhe use of

to

be verified,
supposedly advanced

the rise in the wodd temperature is found to

have direct correlation with the rise in sea levels,

as

and this may jeopardise the safety of some places

methods.

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

The supposed harbingers of the

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

The threat may have been exaggerated because not

all governments across the world are taking it very

seriouslv;

if

some of them can afford

to

pay lip

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 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 presented by

the rise in

service to this threat in their quest for more

economic development and unprecedented or governmental and organisational level.
sustained industrialisation, the situation may not

osnrccezooe

global

temperature is definitely not overestimated as it is

on the agenda of many important international and
regional meetings throughout the world, at the

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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.

Quotas are a cop out, given that countries simply

have lo payto exceed them,

The emission ofgreenhouse gases affects the

entire pianet regardless of where the gas is
produced, validating the use of quotas to limit

Developing countries have been excluded from the

proto( ol. undermrning the ellicacV ol Pnforcing
such quotas.

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,

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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

in units of cofton dioxide produced.

Cotbon ollset

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

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

in different contexts.

ofthe environment. These words moy hove different mednings