Blog Response: Environmental/Political Issues

Recently, other than global warming, another new issue has cropped up that has a profound effect on the world. This is North Korea and the recent pact to freeze all nuclear activities.

The Advent Against Terror

This deal is significant because it marks the end of a tumultuous 3-year effort by US, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea to halt North Korea's nuclear programme. Moreover, just two months before, North Korea held its first nuclear test, shocking the world with this revelation. That marked the zenith of tension between Pyongyang and the rest of the world.
This should come as a relief yet surprise to every person, especially Pyongyang's direct neighbors.

Feeling Sorry for N. Korea

This deal is a win-win situation for both North Korea and the world. China had a great part to play in the success of the deal, acting as an intermediary for both parties, luring the defiant Koreans back to the negotiating table and softening the United States' tough stance on North Korea.
Honestly, I feel sorry for the North Koreans civilians. They are a widely discriminated lot, being collectively labelled as terrorists by US when ironically, most are starving and struggling to survive each day. To make matters worse, US stopped supplying food aid to North Korea, not knowing that the real sufferers are the citizens on the street as the Korean leaders can easily import food via their international underground links. President Kim do not care about the malnourished child on the street, so why should US deprive the ordinary Korean of much-needed food aid?

However, this anomaly was patched when the European Union and US recently blocked all exports of luxuries like abalone, seafood, electronic products to Korea to 'deprive' the Korean regime head honchos. This should be done earlier, rather than affect the poor and innocent Korean.

Pyongyang Down, Teheran Next?
The brokerage of the deal represents a milestone in nuclear disarmament. US has certainly learnt not to be too rash when she deals with North Korea, especially after attacking Iraq because of the presence of “weapons of mass destruction” which up to today have not been found.
Just a few months ago, Iran admitted its nuclear capability, but the US was careful not to attack the oil-rich Gulf state so readily.
Firstly, oil. Iran is the second largest producer of oil after Saudi Arabia, and any attack would certainly shake up the whole petroleum industry. With the US economy so sensitive to the price of oil, its economy will surely come to a standstill.
Secondly, Middle Eastern tension. The feud between Americans and Muslims in the Middle East has not subsided yet. If the US attacked Iran, Muslim countries will come out in full force against US. Unlike Iraq, Iran has an operationally-ready army with battle-hardened and tough generals at its helms.

Again, I am no political analyst but I can foresee that the US would no doubt think twice before attacking Iran lest the whole Middle East stops supplying it the elixir of life - oil.

(500 words)

Blog Response: Environmental Issues

About Global Warming

There has been much concern about the worrying issue of global warming recently.
Global warming is the increase of earth's surface temperature due to increasing amounts of atmospheric greenhouse gases like methane or carbon dioxide. It is of great concern as it will lead to dire consequences like rising sea levels due to melting ice caps, among others. Global warming is an unfortunate byproduct of man's irresponsible actions. Therefore, I write this article to raise awareness of this pressing problem.

Different Perspectives, Different Approaches

Different factions of people in our society currently view global warming differently.
The first is the United States and President George Bush. He keeps on denying the effects of global warming which has already been proven “beyond doubt”.
On the other hand, there is the treehuggers' camp. They over exaggerate the implications and effects of global warming to “shock people, governments into taking more serious action”.

Taking Pity on Uncle Sam

There has already been clear scientific evidence to support global warming, yet Bush still denies it, as he has a vested interest in protecting his energy industry, which are the key drivers of US economy. While I am no economist, I fully understand Bush's plight. Bush knows that if he ratifies the Kyoto Protocol, it would severely hamper the growth of its gargantuan automobile and energy industry, with the likes of Ford, Exxon Mobil and Chevron. Add to it a ballooning US trade deficit of US$750 million and a competitive Chinese economy and now you understand the reasons for Bush's denial.

The Real Problem Is...

The threat of global warming is real yet nobody seems to be doing anything about it. The question is whether we should still worry about global warming, which will not really affect us until much later, or concentrate on finding a cure for more pressing problems like malaria or HIV/AIDS, which kill people to the tune of 10 million annually. There are also other problems in the developing world yet to be solved, even simple things like sanitation and water poses huge bureaucracy hurdles. If these simple things we cannot overcome, I guess governments should not be too ambitious to 'solve' global warming.

My view on the future is that we should strive to solve our present problems instead of worrying and pondering about future problems. Sometimes, solving our present problems may naturally lead to that future problem being solved. For example, developing countries like China are burning lots of coal for their energy needs. Rather than trying to clear the air up about global warming (pun unintended), we should nip the problem in its bud – persuade China to use more efficient and less pollutive fuels.
I will end off with a quote. “More time does not solve problems. Lack of time does.” Therefore, we should aim to give ourselves a specific deal line to eradicate all or most present problems, then finally lay the ultimatum to reduce global warming.

(479 words)