Global warming is one of the major challenges that are facing the world today. To solve this problem, developed and developing countries have come up with avenues to face off global warming. This is indicated by the ongoing climate meeting in Copenhagen. Human activities have continued to contribute immensely to global warming. These activities include diversified undertakings by people in the low, middle, and upper social classes. As a result, governments all over the world have continued to spend billions of dollars to counteract the negative repercussions brought about by climate change. This paper will discuss the implications of the interconnection that exists between social classes and global warming.
The first intersection between social classes and global warming can be traced to the impact of industrialization driven by the urban working class. The construction of industries and factories in most urban centers has been undertaken to capitalize on the availability of skilled labor within cities. Most of these industries contribute immensely to environmental destruction by emitting carbon dioxide which is the major cause of global warming. Even though many countries have put in place research programs that are geared towards reducing the effects of carbon dioxide, some have failed to adopt the results of the programs. For instance, the Bush administration was very hesitant in adopting the strategies that were put in place by the E.P.A.According to the E.P.A analysis; further emission of carbon dioxide will hurt the health of the public (Broder, 1). Apart from contributing greatly to industrial pollution, the urban dweller’s working-class individuals are the majority owner of motor vehicles. In this way, most urban workers use their automobiles every day to and from work. These automobiles are fuelled mainly by petroleum products whose combustion yields carbon dioxide. The resultant global warming effect due to the continuous use of petrol and diesel-fueled cars is commonly found within the urban centers where the members of the society in the upper class have constructed big factories and businesses. This clearly defines the intersection that exists between global warming and social class. It is crucial to note that majority of investors in commerce and industries around the world are high-class individuals. With their strong financial, social, and political positions the well-off individuals deeply influence government policy-making processes. As a result, skewed environmental impact assessments have been commissioned paving the way for the construction of illegal industries in public lands. Similarly, many industrialists have continuously defied government regulations in terms of controlling carbon dioxide emissions. This is why the negativities brought about by the high level of carbon in the atmosphere due to the current global industrialization strategies have greatly resulted in the increase in airborne diseases as well as reduced agricultural activities
The intersection of global warming and class can also be revealed by examining the energy sources and economic activities of the lower class and middle-class individuals. Loss of species and widespread drought have resulted based on the fact that many people have ignored planting trees while others have been directing wastewater into rivers and dams (Friedman, 8). The combustion of charcoal and firewood releases carbon dioxide which increases the problem of global warming Cutting trees to provide charcoal and firewood to rural communities in developing countries has also contributed to global warming. Since trees are useful in purifying the air by utilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide, strict rules need to be put in place to protect them from human destruction. It is imperative to note that the current US government under the leadership of President Barrack Obama has taken major initiatives aimed at reducing the effects of carbon dioxide. This can be traced to his major role and the US government in general in ensuring that the ongoing climate conference in Copenhagen bears fruits. The net effect of deforestation and increased use of fossil fuel has is that there has been an increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide which is the major contributor to global warming. Recently, it has emerged that any further increase in the level of carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere, will lead to huge air pollution that the world experienced 125,000 years ago. To avoid this there is a need to adopt the advice from the scientists and climate experts who seek to address the increasing instability of climate conditions (Rosenthal and Revkin, 3).
This study of the relationship between social class and global warming shows that individual members of the entire society have in some way contributed to the high temperatures in the atmosphere. According to my view, there is a need for the World Meteorological Organization and UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) to effectively collaborate to urgently address the current problems of global warming.
Works cited
Broder John. Behind the Furor over a Climate Change Skeptic. (2009): 1-5
Friedman Thomas. The Power of Green. (2007): 7-11.
Rosenthal Elisabeth and Revkin Andrew.The Science panel calls global warming Unequivocal. (2007): 2-5.