About Kyoto: Filtering the News

The political economy and global warming

A little adventure into the controversy around the Kyoto Protocol might explain how the media explains the status of those in power, and supports the economy.

Bush recently claimed that ratification of the protocol would be "economically irresponsible". He said that it would cost the US economy $400 Billion and 4.9 million jobs. Thus ratification would be a threat to national security. He stressed what the treaty would do to or for employment, profits,investment, balance of trade, innovations and other economic/financial indicators. He does not see that at current rates, species worldwide are in peril, natural resources are depleting at the speed of life, and current rates of extraction are not sustainable in any way.

The US and Canada need to be global leaders. They must take the initiative towards innovation and change. If it isn't seen as a priority, to preserve biodiversity, and the sustainable use of our natural resources, currently emerging economies won't put their focus there either. Without this focus, development in places like Asia won't necessarily be environmentally considerate when acting in economic interest. The rationale won't come through. To me, there is no question that global warming exists, although there have been several of my friends who still believe we are just getting over an ice age and there is nothing to worry about.

The first part might be true in part, but the fact is that CO2 levels have exponentially grown in the past decade or so. So when I found this comment from the Globe and Mail (with source reference at the end
of this post), I was horrified:

"Climate change drives major changes in CO2, not the reverse; carbon
dioxide is only a minor contributor in the many factors that influence
global climate(...) When it comes to climate change, humans aren't the
culprits" (208).

Now, for one of the most important newspapers in Canada, I thought this was quite harsh, not to mention inappropriate.

Recently getting over fascinating facts and images from Mr. Al Gore, Ifail to see global warming as only a consequence of mass hysteria in the developing world. It is a global issue, but it takes determination and courage to hit it head on, no matter what its going to do to our economy in the short run. Global leaders must understand that it is more than short term economic cycles, WE MUST LOOK TO THE LONG TERM! I think that, once again, the powers that be are using the media to promote what they want as fact, otherwise there will be consequences in the current economic system. Although modern viewers are quick to accept their own doom, this problem won't be a simply quick fix Armageddon - that great movie with Bruce Willis. The current system is encouraging collective suicide and a harsh refusal to protect what makes this earth so fantastic- its diversity.

The problem with patriotism, and the reason some political philosophers do not see it as a virtue, is because it tends to lead you blindly around issues that are very important. You end up engaging with the majority, defending your countries actions as you do it.