Stella_Cottrell_Critical_Thinking_Skills_Deve

Global Warming Requires a Global

Solution (Text 1)

The increase in greenhouse gas emissions over the past 50 years is viewed as a major factor in global warming. ~eskarchby the leading world authorities on global warming, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1PCC),13suggests that even if all carbon dioxide emissions ceased today, there would be climate changes for a number of years to come, leading to water shortages for 5 billion people and increased flooding across Northern Europe by 2025. However, scientists have proposed a range of solutions from increasing efficient use of fossil fuels to incentives for using cleaner forms of energy, which they believe are sufficient to make a real impact on climate ~ h a n g e . ~

Comments

Numbers in the text and below refer to the grid on p. 208.

13 The research by the IPCC provides a secondary source for this piece.

8This descriptive opening paragraph gives essential background information on global climate change.

"he Kyoto Protocol was proposed in 1997 as a means of working towards a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the halting of long-term climate change. It focuses on developed countries, the world's greatest polluters, and seeks to establish an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 5 per cent on 1990 levels over the period of 2008-2012. Many key developed industrial nations have ratified the Protocol but a number of others have been resistant towards signing it, as they feel it is unfair that developing countries are exempt from the Protocol. Although a global solution to global warming is required, developed countries need to take the lead.z

Politicians, scientists and businesses in developed countries have given a number of reasons for not signing up to the Protocol. These include doubt about the real link between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, concerns about the effect on their own economies and a rejection of the need for imposed, rather than voluntary, reductions in emissions. A number of leaders of state have cited the lack of emission reduction targets for developing countries as

the key reason behind their rejection of the ~rotoco1 . l~ On the surface, this appears a fair argument - global warming is a problem for everyone, not just those in developed countries, and requires every nation to participate. William K. Stevens (1997)13makes the point that, if left unchecked, emissions from developing countries will surpass those from developed countries in 20-30

8This paragraph gives essential background information about the Kyoto Protocol

2This sentence introduces the author's position and main argument.

10The author sets out a number of possible counter arguments against the main argument here.

13 Secondary source

6Intermediate conclusion: developing countries need to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

5The reason given to support this is: if left unchecked, emissions from developing countries will surpass those from developed countries in 20-30 years.

7Evidence given for what will happen if emissions are left unchecked.

Emissions from developing countries are clearly an important issue. how eve^,^ for developing countries, the argument that they should be subject to exactly the same restrictions as developed countries does not carry weight.ll After watching developed countries build their wealth and power on extensive use of fossil fuels this appears to be a case of 'do what I say, not what I do1. Dr Mwandoysa,12chair of the developing countries' caucus on climate change, makes the point that many developing countries are struggling just to provide an acceptable standard of living for their citizens but are being asked to support changes which would allow the developed world to maintain its wasteful lifestyle (Stevens, 1997). This is similar to someone dumping their waste in a local field and then complaining that other people are not doing enough to preserve the countryside.1°

Also,9 even though developing countries are not required to reduce emissions under the Protocol, Dr Mwandoysa notes that most of them are already working towards this aim, even with limited resources and technology. Developing countries recognise that they have a role to play in halting global warming, but feel that developed countries are better placed t o develop the structures and technologies which are needed to support this work further. This is equitable, given developed countries' greater role in the development of global warming3!5 9 6 .

Greenpeace (2001)'~suggests that reluctance to offend powerful fossil fuel companies is the key reason behind some developed countries' reluctance to address global warming. Countries which have a heavy reliance o n fossil fuels face the possibility that agreeing to reduce emissions will have serious implications for their economy in terms of job losses. However, Stevens (1997) suggests that developed countries, such as the USA and Australia, are actually more fearful of competitive advantages being given to those developing nations such as China and South Korea who stand o n the threshold of industrialisation. Whilst such arguments do have validity in terms of developed countries seeking to maintain their current economic power, their validity is short-term.

O Stella Cottrell (2005), Critic01Thinking Skills,

Palgrave Macmillan Ltd

9'However' is used to signal development of the argument as the author moves to address the counter argument.

11The author addresses counter arguments here.

12Dr Mwandoysa is a primary source quoted in a secondary source.

10The author hints at a counter argument here. It sounds as if it is being suggested that developing countries should be exempt from controls.

9'Also' is used to signal development of the main argument as the author notes that developing countries are reducing emissions.

3Summative conclusion of the argument so far: developed countries should make a greater contribution towards reducing emissions.

6Intermediate conclusion: there are moral reasons for developed countries to be involved in a global solution.

5 The reasons given to support this intermediate conclusion are:

developed countries have more resources to invest in new structures and technologies.

developed countries played a great role in creating global warming.

1 3 Greenpeace is a secondary source.

Practice activities on longer texts 213

Global Warming Requires a Global

Solution (Text 2)

The Kyoto Protocol was introduced in 1997 as a means of halting long-term climate change or 'global warming' by forcing countries to sign up to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. It seeks to establish an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for developed countries of 5% on 1990 levels over the next few years6 Although the principles have been accepted by many countries, some developed countries have not ratified the Protocol.

Comments

Numbers in the text and below refer to the grid on p. 2 7 9.

6Lack of precision. The phrase 'next few years' is vague. The Kyoto agreement runs between specific dates, 2008 and 2012. See p. 209.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that we have probably left it too late to make the changes suggested by the Kyoto Protocol. Even if all carbon dioxide emissions ceased today, there would be ongoing climatic change and global warming leading to effects such as rising sea levels and subsequent contamination of drinking water. At best, the effects will be disruptive and at worst catastrophic. We must act now.10

Given the consequences of climate change, it is madness for any nation not t o sign up.17 Those countries refusing to sign have given a number of reasons for this, from calling research o n climate change into question and even going so far as to say that carbon dioxide is not a

p ~ l l u t a n tThis!~ suggests some countries are in denial about the causes and impact of greenhouse gas emissions.18~l6 However, at the same time, one of the key reasons given by developed countries for nonratification is that global warming is a global problem. Currently the Protocol hinges on developed nations signing u p to specified reduction targets for emissions, whilst there are no similar requirements placed o n developing countries. Effectively, the Protocol does not cover 80% of the world's population and many suggest that it is not fair that this burden is borne by developed countries alone.

This argument must really stick in the throat17 of developing countries. Having watched developed countries growing rich by burning vast amounts of fossil fuel through industry, this behaviour suddenly becomes unacceptable at the point at which they are finally poised t o get in o n the action. As Dr Mwandoysa, chair of the developing countries' caucus on climate change, points many developing countries cannot even afford a basic standard of living for their citizens, let

!20 Critical Thinking Skills

10The necessary conditions for the argument that 'we must act now' have not been met. If it is too late for us to make changes, as suggested, then why should they be made now? In order to justify the need for immediate changes, the author needs to give evidence that such changes could still have an impact on global warming.

17 Use of emotive language with the phrase 'it is madness'.

7Assumption. The author assumes that there is not a valid argument for asserting that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant but gives no evidence that it is a pollutant.

18Attacking the person. Referring to those who disagree as being 'in denial' undermines their argument without properly analysing their reasons.

16Unwarranted leap. This argument makes an unwarranted leap in assuming that because they do not accept some research, opponents must be wrong about global warming. (The style is also rather colloquial.)

17 Emotive language.

22Poor referencing of Mwandoysa source. This does not appear in the references and no date is given (compare this with the text for Practice 1).

O Stella Cottrell (2005),Critical Thinking Skills,

Palgrave Macmillan Ltd