How Green Is Too Green?

Article 2:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/world/europe/07solar.html?ref=environment

As we all know, the greenhouse effect refers to the natural phenomenon that keeps the earth in a temperature range that allows life in all forms to exist and flourish. Like so much of the marvels of nature, the right quantities and in the right ratios, the green house gasses miraculously serve to foster the life on the earth. Conversely, their imbalance spells doom!

There are efforts to reduce the causes of greenhouse effect either at the international or national levels. For example, in 1988 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organisation set up the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC0 to examine the most current information on global warming and climate change. As the new benchmark, it serves as the basis for international climate negotiations. The scientific understanding is now sufficiently clear to justify nations to take prompt action. It is vital that all nations to identify steps that they can take now, to contribute to substantial and long-term reduction in net global greenhouse gasses emissions.

One interesting examples is Malburg’s law that has attracted attention nationwide as a model for environmentally active politician. Marburg, a historic university town in German with 80,000 level of population, is a model of enlightened energy production and consumption. In addition to the windmills and solar installations, the town’s utility company buys hydroelectric power from Austria, is transitioning its fleet of buses and other vehicles to natural gas and even lights footpaths with solar-powered lamps.

But, the town council decision to require solar-heating panels has thrown the city into a vehement debate over the boundaries of ecological good citizenship and led opponents to charge that their genteel town has turned into a green dictatorship. The ordinance, the first of its kind in Germany which will go into effective on 1st October 2008, will require solar panels not only on new buildings, which fewer people oppose, but also on existing homes that undergo renovations or get new heating systems or roof repairs with 1,000 euros fine, about $1,500, awaits those who do not comply. With relatively few new homes are built there, there will be a serious problems with older homes and other buildings and also the upfront cost of installing the solar systems.

For Malaysia, I think this may not happen as the case in Malburg. There is much we can do now as an individuals that makes sense in terms of the economic bottom line while helping to reduce our impact on the global climate and on our local environment and health. All of this can be done in a cost-effective manner, while creating jobs and new business opportunities

We can and we must re-examine our lifestyles and our patterns of consumption. We can for start look at the car that we drive (but, of course need consider for the price). It is perhaps the most important personal climate decision we can make. Surely gas-guzzlers are out. When we replace our appliances, is it refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and water heaters, we should purchase those brands which have energy saving logos.

We should unplug electrical devices when not in use. We can change to energy saving bulbs and lights. We must think before we drive, especially when we have more than one vehicle, use energy efficient one (but, maybe not for Proton) for minor chores and long journeys. We should buy wood and furniture from companies, industries and countries that support sustainable programs. We can participate in plant a tree programmes.

Above all we can let our policy makers know that we as individuals are concerned and care deeply about global warming to safeguard earth for future generations.

Individual life exists because of the earth lives! Surely the time has come to steer to an age of environmental enlightenment!