National Geographic article - Signs from Earth

[bhchao]

The September issue of National Geographic is featuring a three-chapter report on global warming, called Signs from Earth. It describes the drastic climate changes currently underway and raises questions on how much of the climate change is due to the burning of fossil fuels.

I found a link to a chart ranking the nations with the highest total carbon dioxide emissions. The US is the largest emitter, while China is the 2nd largest. The CO2_CAP column is the per capita emissions, which China did well in. However this is only because the wealth in China is less spread out than in the US. So you have less people having the consumer goods (like automobiles) that emit CO2. China's per capita emissions is going to rise as China completes the transition into a full-fledged market economy.

Article: http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0409/feature1/index.html

Chart: http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/trends/emis/top2000.tot

What do you think is the best way to alleviate this issue? Investment in cleaner, more efficient technologies or mandatory emission controls on industries?

[Guest mikehs]

Yes the US emits the most CO2 just into the atmosphere but it is immediately used by the vast coverage of trees and other green vegitation that covers America. In reality if the map showed emission of CO2 that escaped heights of 10 meters or higher the US would be extemely low on the emission level.

[sinofan]

Do you really believe that kind of neo-conservative nonsense? Do you not think that the massive increase in CO2 in the atmosphere and the gradual rise in global temperature has nothing to do with the country that produces one third of the world's pollution? And how an earth can you count the vegetation that may/may not absorb this extra CO2 against the CO2 produced? Surely for the entire planet's benefit that these forests exist and not to act as an excuse for a heavily polluting country.

China is begginning to face these issues and the current irresponsible weakness displayed by the US in Kyoto will mean little meaningful international pressure will be put on China to reduce pollution. I fear for the world when I see the rapid industrialisation of the world's most populated nation, and as the world's only superpower the US needs to step up and take responsibility.

[bhchao]

Yes the US emits the most CO2 just into the atmosphere but it is immediately used by the vast coverage of trees and other green vegitation that covers America

That is quite funny, equally amusing as Ronald Reagan's statement that trees cause pollution. If what you said is true, climate change will not be as drastic as it currently is right now.

[skylee]

TVB News ->

受到全球氣溫上升影響，雲南著名的旅遊勝地麗江的玉龍雪山的冰川，可能會在五十年內消失。