Sir,
I keep reading reports of global warming, and it is a very obvious threat to the future of our families. What puzzles me is the fact that nobody seems to mention the real reason for the problems our planet is facing. If it is not mentioned, no action will be taken to try to resolve it.
The world population has doubled in 40 years between 1959 and 1999 from 3 billion to 6 billion people, and continues to rise. It is forecast that it will rise to 9 billion by 2042. It is currently increasing by more than 75 million per annum. This is the main reason for global warming. All these extra people use up the resources and lead to deforestation and use our other natural resources. How can our planet sustain this?
Indeed, the doubling of the world population is the tip of the iceberg. Compare the number of cars in 1959 to 1999, and the number of miles they travel. Compare the number of air miles covered, the number of homes heating the whole house instead of one room. The list is endless.
In all countries, people are looking for better standards of living. Power stations are going up all over the developing world bringing electricity and water to people who have never had it. Car plants are being built in the developing countries to cope with the massive demand. Massive grants are given from the developed countries to fund the developments. It makes sense to lower emissions from cars, provided that there will actually be an overall reduction in emissions from cars, but if we cut it by 20 per cent and have 30 per cent more cars, we continue to go backwards.
All the proposed improvements such as Kyoto and car emissions are akin to giving a larger bucket to the captain of a sinking ship. It will take longer to go down, but will surely sink unless more action is taken to plug the hole.
I am not against people having a decent standard of living, but somehow, our world leaders must get to grips with this problem. Only China has had the sense to try to do something about it, although in the West, the reduction is happening naturally as many people do not want large families. Many Western governments are actively encouraging people to have more children. Is that a responsible thing to do?
The world needs the UN to take a lead in this. It has been toothless for too long, but has never been faced with a greater challenge than we have now. It will not be easy to persuade developing countries to take action over this problem, but it MUST be addressed. If not, our children and grandchildren face a bleak future.
Tom Lince
Emba, Paphos
