Global Warning

Business should do more to halt global warming and mitigate a bigger crisis in the future

By Gail J. Pelayo

It was by no mere chance that global warming became a highly controversial issue in world politics during the latter part of the 1990s. More than just an environmental concern, the political and economic actions -- if not sacrifices -- it required, especially from industrial countries, invited debate, discussion, and dissent.

Intense droughts resulting from global warming are going to take a toll on agriculture

Despite the buzz it created and aside from the international treaties on climate change and global warming, which the Philippines has committed itself to, there seems to be little recognition and action from the government, the private sector, and the general public as a whole, on the threat posted by global warming. Whether it is a case of lack of information or downright disregard, it is high time to bring the issue closer to home and share with the burden of the rest of the world.

Not a Simple Issue

Over the years, scientists have studied changes in global temperature and discovered that the average temperature has been on the rise. This phenomenon is known as global warming -- the heating of the earthÕs surface due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which traps the heat coming from the sun. These greenhouse gases are emitted from various sources such as industrial processes, energy generation, fuel combustion from transportation, forest fires, waste decomposition, and also from natural activities such as volcanic eruptions and changes in solar radiation.

These gases are not entirely bad for the earth because they serve as biological heaters for its naturally freezing temperature, without which, life would be impossible. But producing too much of these gases alters the natural processes on the earth.

Climate change, its direct effect, is the culprit for the heat waves that have ravaged several countries and killed thousands. It is also responsible for the rise in sea level as a result of glacier meltdown, more frequent and intense storms and droughts, and even the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and other epidemics -- an adverse impact of temperature change. It is blamed for the deterioration of the health of ecosystems, destruction of corals and forests, and the untimely migration of species.

In Our Backyard

Most of these are taking place in the country. The Philippines is most vulnerable to damage resulting from coastal flooding and rise in sea levels. More than a thousand municipalities are located along the coastline. Forty million of the country's population depend heavily on sea produce. Moreover, 35 million people are in danger of losing their source of income because intensified droughts have been distressing the agricultural sector. Rice production drops every time the EL Ni-o phenomenon attacks the country, one of Philippine agriculture's worst enemies.

One of the proclaimed world heritage sites, the Tubbataha Reef, is now in danger because of coral bleaching. Imbalance in the country's ecosystem is imminent due to the untimely migration of several species. The list could go on but all of it points to the same conclusion: despite the countryÕs insignificant contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases, it cannot escape its wrath.

Cost of Compliance

If global warming were only a simple environmental problem that an orchestrated reforestation or a massive fund raising could remedy, it would not have been a controversy. But the heart of the controversy lies in solutions that require sacrifice.

The main contention of critics is the "unreasonable" cost of compliance to slow down, and eventually reverse the effects of global warming. The Kyoto Treaty, which the United States and other industrialized countries vehemently opposed, requires industrial countries to reduce their carbon emissions below their 1990s emission level by 2008 to 2012. This means that countries and industries are called upon to find and shift to "green" and cleaner technologies to run their operations, an expense that business and industries are reluctant to shoulder.

The Philippines relies heavily on carbon-intensive technologies Ð from the production of electricity for homes, buildings, and factories, to the combustion of fuel for transportation. The shift to greener technology to run this whole system is an expensive venture especially for a country reeling from a fiscal crisis.

The question then of necessity immediately arises. If business and industries in the Philippines are not to be blamed for climate change, why should they take the initiative to invest in green technologies and in projects that could help stop global warming? The answer is fairly simple: climate change's effects know no boundaries.

It is true that the country has been experiencing damages, little of which is caused by its own operations. However, if only to mitigate its impact on business and industries and on people as a whole, the country's leaders especially from the business community may need to perform their part in solving global warming primarily because the capacity to invest lies mainly in their hands.

Small Beginnings

The actual shift to green technologies will take time. But even in this time of research and development, there is much that businesses can do to jumpstart change. Energy conservation from as simple as switching off electrical devices and machines, to strategic positioning of energy devices to cover maximum space without sacrificing its bearing on operation, are the most applicable to commercial establishments and businesses. The promotion of renewable energies, afforestation and reforestation projects, and switching to less carbon-intensive fuels to generate energy are the most effective measures against global warming.

Mitigation has always been a better solution. Several companies have already been operating projects known to be effective in arresting global warming. One of these is Mirant Corporation. It has invested in the biggest carbon sink in the country by reforesting the denuded parts of Quezon province and its surrounding mangroves.

Another company which facilitates effective solid waste management is San Miguel Corporation which uses solid waste from its plant facilities and converts them to fertilizers. Moreover, they regulate the use of practicable materials, processes, and practices that lessen the use of wastes and promote the efficient use of energy and water.

One thing that the business community must take advantage of to initiate carbon-emissions reduction is a procedure in the Kyoto Treaty known as the Clean Development Mechanism. This allows developed countries to invest in carbon reduction projects in developing countries while taking carbon credits to help them meet their targeted level.

This system works as a double-edged sword. While helping developed countries meet their Kyoto Protocol commitments, it also facilitates local sustainable development and provides access to better technologies for recipient countries.

Clearly a Big Deal

Admittedly, the cost needed to engage in projects aimed to thwart global warming and achieve the greening of technologies has always been a great consideration. But businesses have to admit that engaging, utilizing, and paying for these endeavors, is something that they, apart from government capabilities, can afford. The bottom line -- there is no greater cost than the damage caused by global warming if action is not undertaken soon enough.