United Nations Conference on Climate Change is the largest intergovernmental conference on climate control that was ever held throughout the history of humanity. Aside from explicit achievements, the largest accomplishment of the Conference is the acknowledgement of the emerging changes in the world arena. Globalization of markets and, as a consequence, global governance in both trade and services, privatization of the energy sector alongside with increasing role of private sector have forever changed the context in which environmental issues should be viewed.

Kyoto Accord or Kyoto Protocol is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that was negotiated in Kyoto, Japan, in December 1997 and was brought into force 90 days after Russian ratification. The amendment represents a new generation of environmental international relations and treaties adopted in the light of globalization. The major aim of Kyoto Accord is to impose control on economic activities related to energy production and foreign investment and in such way minimize the risks for environment. Under this agreement, countries are to reduce emission of greenhouse gases by 5.2%, whereas the long-term perspective is as much as 29% by 2010. The limits are imposed on 6 greenhouse gases: CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. The economic effects of Kyoto Accord have been an issue of prime concern within the last years and neither one of the parties is able to provide a definite solution as well as outline the potential results of implementation of the amendment. There are three mechanisms in Kyoto Accord that allow for worldwide implementation and are aimed at the environmental goals established by United Nations Conference on Climate Change. The mechanisms are also known as Kyoto Flexible Mechanisms: the Clean Development Mechanism, the Joint Implementation Mechanism, and the greenhouse gas emission trading.

The idea of emission trading is rooted in the concept of unity between countries with Kyoto targets. While every country will be assigned a certain limit within the period from 2008 until 2012, those who do not meet the established quota can sell the leftover amount to countries who emit too much of greenhouse gas. European Union went further; it established specific quotas on CO2 emissions for as much as 11,500 energy intensive plants that are located on the territory of members of EU.

The remaining two mechanisms, Clean Development and Joint Implementation, are aimed to reduce emission of greenhouse gases in other countries. Industrialized countries as part of their long-term plan to achieve reduction in emission of greenhouse gases are to run projects abroad, whereas the results are counted towards their own reduction achievements. While Joint Implementation allow for project implementation on the territory of countries with Kyoto targets, Clean Development is aimed at reductions on the territories of developing countries. By implementing two mechanisms United Nations stimulates reduction in gas emission by transferring technologies to developing countries and developing unity between countries with Kyoto targets. While Joint Implementation will be put in force only in 2008, the Clean Development Mechanism is already successfully functioning since 2000.

The Montreal meeting of the United Nations on Climate Change in 2005 finalized the details of Kyoto Protocol. The 11th Conference on Climate Change was held from 28 November to 9 December. During the Conference 40 decisions regarding long-term cooperative actions and detailed guidance for countries with Kyoto targets have been adopted. Marrakech Accords that is generally referred to as the “Kyoto Rulebook” is considered to be one of the most important accomplishments. The “Rulebook” allows the formal implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. While industrialized countries have started a cooperative action to address the climate change, all members have agreed to proceed with an open dialogue. Basically, on the Montreal Conference implementation of the Kyoto Protocol was ensured. There also were held parallel events touching the following major themes: understanding and preparation for the change, showcasing solutions and sharing best practices, raising awareness and cultural events

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Attorney-General, Robert McClelland has recently released details of proposed changes to existing personal bankruptcy legislation.

The changes are now available for public consultation and are intended to modernise the current legislation to better reflect what is actually happening in the community. Specifically, it is addressing the fact that we are increasingly seeing a larger number of bankruptcies in relation to consumers with a small amount of assets and low income levels. Where previously bankruptcy was more commonly associated with individuals who were often simply attempting to avoid paying their debts, bankruptcy is now being increasingly accessed by those who have simply found themselves having a hard time financially.

Some major items of the proposed changes include:

• increasing the minimum debt for which a creditor can petition for bankruptcy from $2,000 to $10,000;
• increasing the stay period from when a declaration of intent to file a debtor’s petition is filed to when a creditor may commence action to recover debts from seven to 28 days; and
• increasing the income, asset and debt thresholds to allow more people in financial distress to enter into voluntary debt agreements.

In essence, the Bankruptcy Legislation Amendments Bill 2009 aims to promote proactive discussion, negotiation and remedies. This should see that honest debtors are given a legitimate opportunity to sit down with their creditors and make arrangements for the repayment of debts and creditors are satisfied that they will receive the monies that are due to them without the need to send excessive numbers of individuals bankrupt.

In light of that, the Bill also seeks to toughen the penalties in relation to fraud and other bankruptcy offences so that insincere parties cannot take advantage of the new conditions that are favourable for those who are actually in trouble.

The rest of the article can be found at:

http://mysmartphoneapps.blogspot.com/2009/11/consumer-bankruptcy-laws-to-change-to.html

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The Alliance for Climate Protection is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the climate crisis. The Alliance for Climate Protection’s goal is two-fold. First, they wish to build non-partisan alliances with varied constituencies and individuals to form a coalition to combat the environmental crises. Additionally, they are working to persuade individuals and society to take measures based on scientific facts from research.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate Al Gore, who has been famously outspoken about the dangers of climate change, is the chairman of the board and brings over thirty years of experience to the table.

The Alliance for Climate Protection works within three arenas to focus and disseminate their message. They work with government offices, business communities, and society at large. The Alliance for Climate Protection is dedicated to non-partisan coverage of the issues in order to push through unnecessary political roadblocks and background noise, and instead focuses all of their attention on working together to make the world a better place.

The Alliance for Climate Protection spells out its main goals as follows:

1. Working toward bi-partisan political efforts to create new climate-friendly proposals to reduce CO2 and methane emissions and other greenhouse pollutants. This task is addressed within the Alliance through persuasive education techniques. The Alliance for Climate Protection works to generate wide-ranging support for climate-protection efforts in order that political entities will work sincerely to generate viable solutions. 2. Pushing for United States participation in the creation of a global treaty to reduce greenhouse emissions and pollution. 3. Persuading individuals at all levels to reduce their own carbon footprint and greenhouse emissions.

It is clear that The Alliance for Climate Protection’s main weapon in the fight against climate crisis is collaboration. A grassroots dynamic is cultivated within the organization through their collaborative education and coalition-building efforts. The Alliance believes that working with a diversity of groups across political and social lines is the most effective means to meet shared environmental protection objectives.

The Alliance’s “Repower America” campaign works to spread the word regarding America’s “dangerous reliance” on carbon-based fuels and sets forth the challenge to end our “carbon addiction.” Repower America informs us that this reliance on carbon-based fuels puts America at economic, environmental, and national security risk. They suggest that investments in clean, renewable energy sources can inject new life into the economy and produce savings for the average American, beyond simply reducing pollution. More information can be found at repoweramerica.org. The “We can solve it” campaign and the “This is reality” campaign are two other projects meant to inform the public and generate support for climate protection.

Al Gore and his philanthropy, the Alliance for Climate Protection has entered into an integrated partnership with Dot Eco, to secure and promote the .eco top level domain.

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The world is constantly changing but not like in the past few hundred years. Technological advancements are forcing the environment to change in a way that is not at all desirable to human-kind. Though technology has made our lives comfortable to a great extent the same factors of comfort are contributing to making the world a difficult and uncomfortable place to live in.

The machines that cool or heat our homes and offices contribute to global warming that is causing disastrous changes to the climate and the environment as a whole. The climatic changes all around the globe is leading to environmental disasters in almost every country and this should be sounding alarm bells in every home of the world. However, we are still taking things easy hoping for the governments of the world to do something about putting a climate change emergency program in place.

People should learn from the devastating earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis that are wrecking havoc around the world. The first point in an emergency program should be to educate the people as to the factors that lead to such environmental disasters and how to detect or predict the possible occurrence of one. Then the next step should include lessons on how to prepare for such contingencies.

Knowledge on how to act in times of environmental emergencies will help people improve their chances of surviving and coming out of such a situation with the least amount of damage.

Evidence is pointing to the fact that nature is going to hold man-kind responsible for the degradation of nature and the onslaught of natural disasters is inevitable. Mankind should be prepared to face these disasters if not do something to avert them – if it is not too late already. Greenhouse gases are not just government propaganda. It is a fierce reality and is the main contributing factor to global warming a phenomenon that is likely result in half the globe being submerged under the seas due to the melting of the ice caps at the poles of the globe.

It is believed that no matter what man does now there is no way of averting warming of the globe, it can only be delayed. What is of prime importance now is that man should understand the problems of climate change and how to react in such times. When climate change brings about a rise in the levels of the seas and oceans, forest fires and other disasters man must know the best measures to be taken.

It is important that the governments of every country should set up a contingency plan and a training program to educate the people as to how they should react in the event of an emergency brought on by climate changes. This will contribute to millions of people being in a better position to safe guard their lives and property and will lessen the impact of the environmental disaster.

With the present knowledge acquired by scientists around he world we now have a better chance of surviving –we also have a better choice.

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Mexico is not only a country which is much visited and loved by tourists coming from all over the world, it is also one of the favourite destinations of those who decide to make a change in their life, revolutionizing their lifestyle and moving to a country other than the one where they were born. Visiting some of the most beautiful Mexican cities it is very likely to encounter an Italian that has left his job and has decided to buy a house in Tulum, for example, changing completely his habits and leaving his past behind.

There are various reasons that could convince a person to leave everything and move to Mexico, and if you are wondering how it is possible for a person to decide to make a radical change in his life, with no indecisions and no regrets, you must live in Mexico, even for few days and even as a tourist: the wonderful landscapes, the local culture and folklore, the charm that radiates from the traces left by the Maya and Aztec peoples, the turquoise sea and the beautiful beaches cannot but remain in the heart of all those who visit this amazing country, instilling the desire of seeing again these special places and, why not, of living there.

Numberless are the stories of Italians who have decided to start a new life in Mexico, stories that might be an example for and help all those who wish to give a jolt to their existence but do not know where to start from. Chatting with some of the Italians that live in Mexico we might get to know the story of a manager that, following the crisis, decided to move to Mexico, bought a hotel and started a new job, different from the one that he had in Italy. Or we could meet a journalist that has given up an important promotion in his homeland to start his own publishing project in Playa del Carmen, realising an Italian newspaper conceived for all the Italians that live in Mexico, as he does, or who are visiting this country as tourists. The stories of Italians living in Mexico are various and different from each other, and very often the protagonists are people who felt the need to take a break from the routine and the daily stress that characterize many of the cities that we know, to embrace a different lifestyle, with a softer pace of life. In other words, a choice meant to improve the quality of their lives, sometimes to the detriment of a more substantial paycheck or of a brilliant career.

To turn Mexico into a very appealing destination are not only the landscape and the climate, but also a property market that is very advantageous, and that encourages many people to buy a house in Cancun or in other famous Mexican tourist resorts, not only to live in there, but also to turn them into a bed and breakfast or a guesthouse to host tourists.

If you are not satisfied with the life you lead and are looking for a solution, Mexico could be the answer you are looking for!

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THE scientific consensus that mankind has caused climate change was rocked yesterday as a leading academic called it a “load of hot air underpinned by fraud”. Professor Ian Plimer condemned the climate change lobby as “climate comrades” keeping the “gravy train” going. But Barbara Boxer calls the latest news Email-gate. 

In a controversial talk just days before the start of a climate summit attended by world leaders in Copenhagen, Prof. Plimer said Governments were treating the public like “fools” and using climate change to increase taxes. He said carbon dioxide has had no impact on temperature and that recent warming was part of the natural cycle of climate stretching over ¬billions of years.
 
Can fraudulently constructed data be SCIENCE?

Ah, but if you are “wanting” global warming then it’s not the FRAUD committed by the scientists that matters, but the FRUAD committed by those who HACKED into the computers: maybe a new form of “Whistleblowers”?

Boxer, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said that the recently released e-mails, showing scientists allegedly overstating the case for climate change, should be treated as a crime. “You call it ‘Climate-gate’; I call it ‘E-mail-theft-gate,’” she said during a committee meeting. “Whatever it is, the main issue is, Are we facing global warming or are we not? I’m looking at these e-mails, that, even though they were stolen, are now out in the public.”
 
Prof Plimer – author of Heaven and Earth: Global Warming, The Missing Science – told a London audience: “Climates always change. They always have and they always will. They are driven by a number of factors that are random and cyclical.” His comments came days after a scandal in climate-change research emerged through the leak of emails from the world-leading research unit at the University of East Anglia. They appeared to show that scientists had been massaging data to prove that global warming was taking place

And what’s up with the document shredding?

The Climate Research Unit also admitted getting rid of much of its raw climate data, which means other scientists cannot check the subsequent research. Last night the head of the CRU, Professor Phil Jones, said he would stand down while an independent review took place.

Professor Plimer said climate change was caused by natural events such as volcanic eruptions, the shifting of the Earth’s orbit and cosmic radiation. He said: “Carbon dioxide levels have been up to 1,000 times higher in the past. CO2 cannot be driving global warming now. “In the past we have had rapid and significant climate change with temperature changes greater than anything we are measuring today. They are driven by processes that have been going on since the beginning of time.”

It’s not exactly the kind of news Obama wanted as he prepares to go to Copenhagen. But of course in these days, nothing seems to be good news for Barack.

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Over the forthcoming years it must be expected that all aspects of life on Earth will change drastically and dramatically, be this through climate change, technological advancement or economic transition. On analysing the ‘eighties’, or even the ‘nineties’, the changes which have occurred from then to the present day are nothing short of amazing. Most children and teenagers cannot imagine a lifestyle which does involve such technology (or gadgets) as mobile phones and laptops. These applications have become firmly inter-linked with everyday life and are now a way of life rather than a ‘flashy’ gimmick, as they were often referred to as in their infancy. In a similar way, such technology has had the same impact on businesses and the environment they operate within. Mobile telephones are prevalent amongst employees in most industries and e-mails, databases, spreadsheets and various other programmes have, to a degree, rendered the pen and paper nothing more than a ’supporting act’. With such major changes occurring in such a short space of time, it appears businesses will continue to experience extreme and drastic new environments. How they react to them will determine their success and longevity within their markets.  There is only one thing certain about the future of business – it will always be changing!

Business revolves around consumers and, in the main, satisfying their needs and desires. However, clever marketing and propaganda can often mould consumer groups in to thinking they need a certain product, service or brand. Therefore, the key drivers of how business progresses will be consumers coupled with economic, political, environmental, social, technological and legal factors. During the course of this essay, each of the factors will be analysed and suggestions on their effects provided.

Ray Kurzweil, a renowned computer scientist, predicts “We won’t experience 100 years progress in the 21st century – it will be more like 20,000 years of progress at today’s rate. Within a few decades, machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence, leading to the Singularity: technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history. In practical terms human ageing and illness will be reversed; pollution will be stopped; world hunger and poverty will be solved. Nanotechnology will make it possible to create virtually any physical product using inexpensive information processes, and will ultimately turn even death into a soluble problem”. (Extract taken from article ‘Readying a radical business plan’ on money.cnn.com). Whilst the above views may be deemed ‘far fetched’, the reality is that technological advancements in recent times may also have been classed as ‘unachievable’ only a few decades ago.

Appendix 1 attached is a document produced by British Telecom which contains a predicted timeline of technological inventions. The shear volume of predicted inventions and in many cases their immense advancement in technology clearly demonstrates the opportunities and threats which businesses face. Highlighted are a number of particularly interesting suggested inventions. It must also be considered that along with positive innovations, there will always be people with counter productive motives who thrive on damaging innovations. BT’s timeline predicts such potentially damaging developments as ‘Viruses’ aimed at toys, Jigsaw viruses, ‘Phishing’ of on-line banking, Corporate ‘cyberwars’ and terrorists using GM to pollute crops and damage economy. With this in mind businesses will have to pay added attention to security as improved technology equates to improved criminals.

 Climate change and growing concerns over the environment are likely to have a major impact on the way business is conducted in the future. At present legislation regarding the conduct of firms with regards to the environment is extremely evident (eg. REACH – A new European Community Regulation dealing with Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemical Substances). However, a major problem is that many large industrial countries, such as the US and China, fail to comply or ’sign-up’ to international legislation, such as the Kyoto Protocol (February 2005). They hold too much global power, at present, for legislative action to be effective against them. Therefore, it must be hoped that support is gained from amongst these countries populations, as ‘people power’ can play a major role in convincing politicians. However, climate change resulting in the widening desertification and rising sea-levels present opportunities for major engineering projects and potential ‘big business’ ventures. For example, by guiding the sea-level ‘overflow’ into areas with limited water such as Sudan, Ethopia or the Sahara desert, a positive outcome could be extracted from a crisis. Business can be created by supplying the answers which may save cities such as London, Venice and New York from flooding, whilst regenerating water-starved countries in Africa and Asia. The other side to the argument is that technology will become available to reverse or counter-act global warming, and indeed BT predict that the hole in the Ozone layer will have disappeared by the 2050’s. However such optimism is not shared by the  majority of environmental experts who fear consequences of Armageddon proportions in the not to distant future.

New technology is continuously being developed, with today’s ideas becoming tomorrow’s reality. New fuels, greater computer capabilities and advanced machinery should all play a major role over the coming years. Many production lines are presently almost fully automated, so the question is what will be the next step technologically? Will computers / robots carry out the administrative / supervisor roles as well as the production ones? Will we see an Artificial Intelligence based Managing Director, and if so who are his/hers stakeholders? Will new technological advancement make companies more efficient and LEAN, but ultimately lead to a race of AI based humanoids running a world where humans are no longer the dominant species? These are questions which cannot be answered at present, but simply considered as a possibility.

With new technology will come new pharmaceutical advancements. Cures for diseases such as AIDS and cancer may be just ‘upon the horizon’, while who is to say age reversal treatments or life prolonging tablets will not be as common as vitamin tablets in 20 years time? Such advancements would create huge new business opportunities, with an even larger and older population businesses would have to adapt to service a new consumer group with new ideas, views and desires.

The growth of nations such as China and India will have a considerable impact on the business world. With huge populations (China 1.3 billion and India 1.1 billion) willing to work in ‘inhumane’ working conditions for negligible wages, it is difficult for westernised developed countries to compete on price and output. Whilst quality may be an issue on some products from these countries at present, eventually they will gain the experience to match and maybe surpass western standards. However, as Maslow’s ‘Hierarchy of Human Needs’ explains, people’s expectations rise over time. Thus the people of China will not tolerate such hardships indefinitely, and will eventually demand parity with their western counterparts. This is already evident in India where I.T. personnel previously earning around 25% of their American counterparts salary, are now demanding around 70%.

The possibility of a major war or conflict can never be ignored. The world wars severely slowed down many aspects of business, but also accelerated technology in the form of weaponry, vehicles and munitions. Most nations are spending heavily at present in developing and manufacturing highly technical weapons. Should a Third World War occur, the results could catastrophic. The effect this would have on the World is obvious, but it could equally have a massive effect on business with the emphasis possibly changing on which countries to deal with. Many countries who have been involved in conflicts often gain many allies, and thus such partnerships continue through business once the conflict is over.

Space travel and exploration has long been viewed as the ‘next logical step’ of mankind. In 1969, when man first stepped foot on the moon it was envisaged that regular space travel would exist in the next decades. Political wrangling, disasters, international conflicts and economic issues have slowed down the progression, but it is highly likely that at some point in the future a major emphasis is placed on exploring our neighbouring planets and beyond. The previously mentions events such as climate change, limited resources and fuels, growing populations combined with man’s ambition to always achieve more may be the driving factors behind ‘big business’ investing heavily in space exploration.

Much of international business is based on fluctuations in countries currency. Therefore, in future years we may see a World currency, which all countries adapt to. This would make trade between countries much easier, yet would be open to misuse and corruption if not policed correctly.

Cultural and language barriers between business people has often been the cause of many issues. With business transactions increasing becoming international, such issues must be addressed and overcome. Religions, such as Islam, which dictate how believers lead every function of their life could become increasingly prominent in deciding which countries do business with each other.

2020 looks to be an exciting, scary and complex year, but there again, put yourself back to 1998 and look how the World has changed since then!!

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Campaigning is done against nuclear weapons and war.

Similarly, advertisement, election, empowerment of women and many more activities are promoted by campaigns organized by concerned people.

Nowadays, climate change is one of the fears all living and non-living on earth face.

Crying for the climate change is a campaign active all over the world.

We are very much concerned about our future generation.

Therefore, campaigning on climate change has become popular and sometimes fashion around the world.

Realizing the importance of climate change, the Nobel Foundation awarded Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore, the ozone man, former Vice-President of the US and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

They were responsible to bring out the truth that disastrous climate change is caused by global warming for which human activities contribute a lot.

No one believed the statement, but later on the scientists of IPCC calculated the human activities which influence the changes in earth’s climate.

This calculation could make the countries to wake up and think.

A documentary film “An Inconvenient Truth” produced by Al Gore opened the eyes of many politicians, planners and people from all walks of life.

In fact, the film won Oscars award for best documentary and best song.

At any cost, the man-made climate change has to be counteracted.

The bad effects of climate change on the Globe over time have been known even before two or three decades.

The green house gases – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halocarbons – are responsible for global warming.

The first and foremost effect is the rise in earth’s temperature.

The vulnerable people started dying during summer months in advanced countries like France and Germany.

Once everyone saw such tragic conditions around, they come forward to support the campaign on climate change.

Many organizations interested in the future of humanity cross the world began campaigning against global warming.

Rising temperature affects not only human beings but also animals and plants on Planet Earth.

Prolonged droughts and untimely rain caused crop loss and reduction in food production.

The burning of fossil fuels and large scale air-conditioning are on the increase everywhere in the world.

The commercial interest and political interference do not come forward to support the campaign against global warming.

Those people are not bothered about the far reaching results which are going to be the greatest threat to our future generation who are none other than our own children, grand-children and grand-grand children.

The campaigners caution the policy makers and politicians well in advance to take appropriate measures to reduce or arrest global warming.

In this case, the public at individual level has to cooperate and indulge in action.

The ‘Ten Things To Do” for developed nations was proposed by AL Gore as “Green Agenda”.

They are:

1. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights.

2. Dive less.

3. Recycle more.

4. Check vehicle tire pressure for better mileage.

5. Use less hot water.

6. Avoid products with excessive packaging.

7. Plant a tree.

8. Turn off electrical equipment not in use.

9. Adjust your thermostat.

10. Spread the word.

The options laid out are not new to developing nations like India, because most of the organizations including the Government interested in development was campaigning these ten things for quite some time knowingly or unknowingly.

Adoption of most energy efficient technologies should be followed by everyone whether he / she lives in cities or villages.

Carbon sequestration in the soil is one of the measures by which the productivity of dry land can be increased and reduce the carbon emission according to the Director-General of ICRISAT, Hyderabad.

Incorporation of carbon and availability of organic carbon in soil help increasing the crop productivity.

Dry lands occupy 80 per cent of agricultural land and produce 58 per cent of the world’s staple foods.

Such a vast area should help in sequestration of carbon, provided we incorporate green manure regularly into the soil.

It is not a new concept again, an old one taught to me when I was a student of agriculture during 1960s.

Even today the organic farming campaigners recommend this concept to improve the soil fertility and at the same time sequestering carbon.

In this connection, one has to think of the oxidation of organic carbon in the tropical into carbon dioxide.

We are silent on this aspect.

However, I feel someone has to look into this crucial problem.

Probably, ICRISAT, a world body may think of the sequestration of carbon in tropical soils and its fate in the long run.

Forests are one of the largest ‘sink’ for carbon dioxide.

Deforestation caused by human activities and large scale wild fire brings down the ‘sink size’ and allow the earth to emit more carbon dioxide.

Coal based power plants emit enormous quantity of carbon dioxide.

Therefore, the suggestion is to opt for nuclear and solar power.

Renewable energies such as wind, solar and biofuel were highlighted as important sources to reduce the global warming to 2.0 – 2.4oC, generally recognized as the threshold level.

Report after report stresses the need for controlling the climate change through a number of campaigns all over the world – developed, developing and under develop.

Creating awareness among the people of the world is the ultimate aim of most of the organizations interested in global climate change.

Discouraging deforestation, reforestation, using ethanol based bio-fuels, expansion of conservation tillage to reduce carbon release from farm fields are some of the possible measures put forth by various committees instituted for studying the climate change.

In order to follow these policies, there should certainly be a political will and peoples’ participation.

The probability of human activities causing global warming is now 90 per cent as compared to 66 per cent in 2001 according to Dr. R.K. Pachuri, the head of IPCC.

Therefore, it is obvious that the human activities over years have contributed more and more to climate change.

If the present conditions continue, the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere will be 550 ppm by 2100 as compared to the present level of 280 ppm.

Curbing the carbon dioxide emissions are in the hands of the US, Australia, Europe, China and India.

The threshold of carbon dioxide concentration is 450 ppm for dangerous climate change.

Global warming also causes significant sea level rise which is unavoidable for many countries during 21st Century.

The fear of global warming is felt by only some people and campaign for climate change.

It is the question of survival in the long run.

If we take it easy now then it would be difficult to cope with the problem at later stage.

Therefore, let us follow the green agenda as much as possible to support the campaign on climate change.

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Climate changes directly affect tourism. Fewer people are booking flights from Europe to the Mediterranean because of these climate changes, which directly affects popular holiday spots like Majorca and Minorca. Environmental groups expect a steady decline in holiday travel via flights from Europe to the Mediterranean.

How Climate Changes Impact Tourism

People generally plan their holiday based on the temperature at their destination and when they can get the time off from work. Holiday makers have been visiting Majorca and Minorca for decades because of the picture-perfect beaches and perfect climate. Rising temperatures have a direct effect on tourism because travelers will rethink travel destinations based on the ideal temperature for the particular time of year.

Majorca and Minorca will be significantly impacted if holiday makers stop taking flights there from Europe. Over the last few decades these islands off of Spain have become dependent on tourism. The land is not ideal for agricultural use and there is little else that native residents of these islands can do to sustain themselves.

How Environmental Groups Expect Climate to Affect Air Travel

Some environmental groups see flights from Europe to the Mediterranean drastically dropping due to climate changes. A significant change in temperature leaves holidaymakers deciding if the Mediterranean is still the ideal place to be. Mediterranean beaches are too hot and ski trips are going downhill.

Additionally, the climate changes are forcing individuals, companies and environmental groups to look at ways to protect the ozone and participate in carbon offsetting methods. Car companies have already looked at how they make vehicles and ways they can reduce carbon emissions. Just as energy-efficient cars are a wave of the future, ways to offset carbon in the air from air travel are also being studied.

Unfortunately, at this time, there isn’t an environmentally safe way to travel by air and anyone interested in offsetting carbon emissions may change their holiday plans to make them more eco-friendly.

Environmental Groups Respond to Climate Changes

Environmental groups continually work to offset the carbon emitted into the air by international flights. Companies are encouraged to voluntarily offset their usage to balance carbon emissions. Simple ways to reduce emissions include planting trees and conserving energy. Other ideas for conserving energy and offsetting carbon emissions are to reduce flights and change methods for traveling.

Some environmental groups predict that Europeans will stop taking their holiday by flight because of the climate change. Not only has the environment at their destination changed, they are also further damaging the environment by flying overseas and emitting harmful carbon in the air. If airlines are forced to change their methods, if they don’t voluntarily conserve energy to offset carbon and create a balance then it is up to holiday makers to take a stand for the environment and stop supporting companies who continually emit carbon and endanger the environment.

An individual will not make a huge difference in making up for climate change. It is when people rally together and are encouraged by environmental groups whose purpose is to protect our planet and conserve energy that change can be made. Air charter companies may not willingly change unless they are forced by a large number of people boycotting overseas air travel.

Realizing the need for a change, some tourist industry companies are already organizing efforts to help offset the environmental impact of overseas flights. Major players are donating a percentage of their profits to eco-friendly endeavors and beseeching their patrons to donate as well, in the interest of humanity. They realize that their very existence is at stake as is the local economies where they now prosper. Rest assured, the problem is being looked at and addressed.

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Many people throughout the world have been conditioned into believing the unproven theory that global warming is caused by mans’ industrial activities. However the opponents of this theory point to instances in the past when global warming, without the influence of man, did take place.

The scientific community agree that the earth is about 4.5 billion years old and during that time its accepted as a known scientific fact that it’s undergone at least 12, and possibly 14 major periods of climate change. In addition to this there have been numerous minor changes to the earth’s climate.

The information about pre-man climate changes has come from studying ice cores and from sophisticated scientific investigation involving many branches of science. However some of these minor changes have occurred within the life-time of man and have been recorded over time.

The existence of these major and minor periods of climate change is not in doubt; what is open to speculation and controversy are the causes.

On this, the Scaremongers remain totally silent: they are emphatic that mans’ industrial activity and the burning of fossil fuels is the cause of any climate change taking place at the moment, but would have to agree that industrial activity could not have caused the start of a period of climate change 5,000 years ago.

In 1991 the body of a man was found in the European Alps in the border regions of Austria and Italy. He was said to have died about 5,000 years ago whilst crossing the Alps. From this two facts can be determined: man at that time knew he could cross the Alps; secondly this feat was possible because of the absence of snow and ice at lower altitudes.

2800 years later occurred the first recorded historical event involving man crossing the Alps. That was Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps with an army, including elephants, to wage war on the Roman Empire. This event was clearly documented at the time and is today accepted as a historical fact.

When this event was taking place, the snowline of the Alps was estimated to be in the region of 1,800 to 2,000 meters above sea level. Until recently the Alpine snowline was approximately 1,500 meters above sea level. What this means is that in modern times the level above the sea at which snow falls and lies on the ground is about 300 to 500 meters lower than when Hannibal achieved his feat. So during the past 2200 years the earth’s temperature has fallen to enable snow and ice to settle at these lower altitudes. However in Hannibal’s time and the centuries earlier going back to 3,000 BCE the air temperature was considerably warmer that it is today.

From this scientists know that the world’s climate has changed over the past 5,000 years. So what’s caused this change?

The activities of Man?  Unlikely.
The work of Nature or the Almighty?  Probably.

Is there a definite answer?  No.

Lets now look at more recent times and consider the recorded history of events that took place in London.

Between 1660 and 1820 is was quite a common occurrence for the river Thames to freeze over; not every year, but certainly enough for people at that time to make comments. Since the mid 19th century the Thames has rarely been frozen, certainly never in recent memory. So the question needs to be answered: what caused the warming of the air from 1820 onwards? 

At the same period of time from 1660, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia was subject to stress caused by an event that lasted 20 years. Coral has characteristics not unlike that of trees. Rings in a piece of sliced coral tell the story of climatic events long ago. A piece of coral collected off the coast of northern Australia has recently been examined and it shows the effects of drought in the region. Lack of fresh water, and therefore the absences of nutrients, coming from the nearby rivers would affect the growth of the coral and would be noticed in examining the rings. The coral showed a period of about 20 years of severe drought in this region.

In the years since then the reef has made a full recovery, although it may be suffering now.

The ‘Yes’ case points to the decline in coral reefs as an example of global warming, but ignore the fact that Nature has the remarkable capacity to rejuvenate stressed coral.

The known history of the world has numerous events that took place long ago that couldn’t happen now:

1) The indigenous people of Australia came from SE Asia via a continuous land mass leading from the Malay peninsula, through Indonesia, New Guinea, and into northern Australia.

2) The native Indians of north America are thought to have entered the continent about 10,000 years ago via the land mass across the Bering Straits. That feat couldn’t be achieved today.

3) Likewise the original inhabitants of the UK are thought to have come from Europe via the land mass that connected mainland Europe to Britain. This is now covered by the English Channel.

From these events of long ago, its plain to see that sea levels rose covering once-accessible traffic routes.

And the most likely causes of the rise in sea levels – global warming causing  polar ice-caps to melt. But what could have caused this? Well definitely not man’s industrial activity. So it must have been the action of Nature, or the Almighty.

That being the case, isn’t it more likely that if global warming is taking place today, it’s being caused by the same influence that caused the previous periods of  climate change?

This is a look at the international controversy concerning the cause of climate change, and an attempt to put some balance into the argument.

Related posts:

1. Man-made Climate Change – the Cause of Australia’s Present Drought?
2. Man-made Climate Change – a Campaign of Deception or Ignorance?
3. The Important Differences Between “Climate Change” and “Global Warming”