Just by 0.01 Degrees...

Today while going through the daily News I came across this headline -
"Global warming? Avg temp rose just 0.01 Degree F since ’99"

I was shocked to see it, to say the least! The article mentioned that the skeptics are pointing out that since in the last decade the global temperature has increased by just 0.01 Degree F all the doomsday prophecies and the concerns regarding climate change are not really relevant. We as a human race have a control over this problem.

What would convince everyone that we have a problem at hand which could reach catastrophic proportions? Usually one would say a "disaster" would set people thinking but in this case we tend to be so blind to the issues at hand that irregular weather patterns, increased instances of atmospheric turbulence, disappearing ice masses, disappearance of complete species etc. does not register. We still would like to debate and argue about whether "global warming is serious or not".

The other day I was thinking that carbon management is becoming big business and then it stuck me that maybe carbon management was getting more impetus and focus BECAUSE it is becoming big business. I am no leftist and don't claim to be non-materialistic but I found it strange that we as a race need materialistic aspects to attract our attention to something which is intrinsic to our existence.

Our world leaders have convened to discuss the climate problem at the behest of the UN but I was so disappointed to still see the same old rhetoric being repeated and the same games being played - yes the developed world has contributed to the present situation but in the future the developing world is going to make the situation worse as they progress. The solution does not lie in trying to find out who should do/scarifice more or should do/sacrifice less but in working together as ONE to address this beast of a problem. Progress has to be sustainable and the developed world could help the developing world by partnering in this endeavor.