Global Warming Essay Example for Free

Global Warming Essay Discuss the challenges that global warming presents to both governments and business Introduction (250 word approx.) This essay discusses the challenges that global warming presents to both the government and also how they affect businesses. Many people think global warming is just the weather becoming warmer, but in fact this is not the case. Global warming makes the weather more unpredictable as some places become colder, some hotter, some more drier, some more wetter and so on. Global warming is defined as basically how the greenhouses gasses affect the climate of the earth, which significantly effects agriculture and ecosystems (whatisglobalwarming, 2011). Too much greenhouse gasses have a negative effect for example higher sea levels, higher temperatures and variable climatic conditions. The main cause of greenhouse gasses is the use of fossil fuels. Our usage of fossil fuel is shown from the table 10.1 by Wetherly and Otter (2nd edition) that is linked to the population growth of 3.6bn to 6.1bn from 1970 to 2000. Furthermore, oil, gas and coal also shows that it has increased considerably over the past thirty years. The increase in population and the demand for consumer goods has also lead to the biggest increase in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 165% compared to 69% increase in population in the same period (Wetherly and Otter, 2nd edition). The impact on greenhouse gasses has definitely been proven with environmental monitoring showing depletion of the Ozone Layer, the Ice Cap and the increase in the earths temperature, all of these have a knock on effect of the world’s food and water supplies. Impacts on Governments (500 words approx.) The government have put many declarations in place starting off with the Rio Declaration Environment and development. In 1992 the Rio declaration was introduced with 27 principles for the future sustainability and development around the globe (United Nations Environment Programme, n.d). The government also signed an agreement with the new Agenda 21 which is a plan that the United Nations has taken globally in which human’s impact on the environment (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2009). Kyoto protocol (2005) creates obligatory emission reduction targets below 1990 levels but only for industrialised countries (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, n.d) Why do governments why do they need to do something about  greenhouse gasses Reducing allowance on fossil fuels (limited resource) Reduce reliance on unsafe energy resources (nuclear fukashema2011, Chernobyl1982, exxon valdez1989)all results in death and eco systems. British government European commission (Emissions Trading Scheme) European Union Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EUEPBD) Our government has set itself a target to reduce its c02 emissions to check points at 2020 and one at 2050. Climate change act 2008 (where GB is at) CRCEES climate reduction commitment energy efficiency scheme. They have introduced incentives for renewable energy (feed in tariff FIT, renewable heat incentive RHI. Impacts on Businesses (500 words approx.) Global warming is always an ever- rising significance for business strategies. Manufacturing businesses will be most important with keeping up to date with legislations and laws with the amount of carbon dioxide and other dangerous gases permitted into the atmosphere. The European Unions Emission Trading Scheme has effects on businesses as they have to pay a certain percentage to the government on the amount of harmful gasses they produce into the atmosphere (PUT SOURCE IN). Airlines especially were affected by this. (FIND EXAMPLE) Businesses also have Cooperate Social Responsibility which merges into the global warming aspects. Many customers now expect from businesses ways in which they are keeping the environment green. Marks and Spencer’s introduced there Plan A in 2007 where they set out 100 commitments to achieve within 5 years (Join the Green Shift, 2011). (EXPLAIN MORE MAYBE?) Similarly to Cooperate Social Responsibility, The impact on businesses such as Tesco and there voluntary actions of providing solar panels to a selected few stores gives not just the business money saving on electricity, but also helps the environment. Although  £100 million has been ploughed into sustainable environmental technology (Professional Engineering, 2006), they will also give customers a better experience knowing they are in an eco-friendly store giving them more potential business and gain more market share overall. Cost to them of complying with government legislations Cost saving exercise (recycling) Carbon trust standard ISO 14000(1) Industry labelling, eco labelling Conclusion (250 words approx.) Governments are taking action Governments introduced legislation Performance is what X level, businesses are taking action Businesses are taking action in the economic climate because its saving money Businesses are taking advantages of renewable energy incentives Bibliography: What is Global Warming (2011) What is Global Warming [internet]. Available from: http://www.what-is-global-warming.com/ [Accessed 28th April 2012]. http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?documentid=78articleid=1163 http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/ http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php Tim Smedley (2011) JOIN THE GREEN SHIFT. [Internet] June, p24-28. Available from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=4hid=19sid=be8cfe39-80ab-4250-b8f6-426c3a8176f4%40sessionmgr10bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=buhAN=61763919 [Accessed 1st May 2012]. Professional Engineering (2006) Tesco to go down the eco-energy route. [Internet] March, Volume 19, p7. Available from: [Accessed 1st May 2012].