29 June 2011
Climate Change: Addressing the leadership dilemma
A phenomenon that has no respect for national boundaries or sovereign states. All nations contribute to the problem and all are affected. Whatever the changes triggered by global warming, a new approach to international relations is required.
Background
During the last 200 years, earth has grown warmer - far warmer than the historical average and much warmer than would be expected from natural cycles in solar radiation. Though this fact is well established by global temperature readings and historic proxy records, the cause of the change has been a source of intense debate. Is human activity causing climate change and if so is there anything we can do about it? The recently published Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report has pretty much put an end to this scientific debate - the answer is yes, human activity does have a large part to play.
The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of more than 2,500 scientists) has provided the world community with first class assessments of the soaring temperatures the world is facing, the devastating impacts of these rises and the ways in which we can try and avoid the worst effects of global warming. We now know climate change is real and the hand of humankind in this warming is becoming clearer and clearer.
Klaus Toepfer, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), quoted in "UN Offers to Answer Bush's Climate Change Doubts" Environment News Service 2 Apr 01
Based on the work of some 2,500 scientists in more than 130 countries, the IPCC Report concluded that humans have caused all or most of the current planetary warming. Human-caused global warming is often called anthropogenic climate change. Industrialization, deforestation, and pollution have greatly increased atmospheric concentrations of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, all greenhouse gases that help trap heat near Earth's surface. To put it simply, the Report confirmed that humans are pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere much faster than plants and oceans can absorb it. These gases persist in the atmosphere for years, meaning that even if such emissions were eliminated today, it would not immediately stop global warming. Therefore, the big questions for the current and future inhabitants of our planet are: What should be done about climate change? And can we act in time to prevent cataclysmic disaster?
Context and Apparent Drivers of Climate Change
Over the last two centuries, the level of carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere has risen dramatically - from 275 ppm to about 380 ppm. Along with a number of other major greenhouses including methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons, the result of rising carbon dioxide (CO2) has been to increase the amount of solar radiation that is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Much of this radiation is captured by greenhouse gases thereby keeping the planet warm.
This is no coincidence. Since the dawn of the industrial age, mankind has seen economic growth and development at an unprecedented rate. Human productivity, technology and economic markets have grown immensely and many factors have played a part. The development of the modern steam engine in the 18th century, which birthed the industrial revolution in Britain, heralded a new era that was centred on the exploitation of vast amounts of fossil fuels (primarily oil, coal and natural gas) to power new technologies in electricity, transportation, information technology and the production of industrial and consumer goods.
INSERT IMAGE: GLOBE IN MATCHSTICK
Due to the significantly elevated levels of atmospheric CO2, a certain amount of warming in the near future is inevitable. Established lifestyles in Western nations are highly energy dependent, most of which is derived from CO2 producing sources. Although there is an increasing sensitivity to the ways in which daily activities produce CO2, and of the need to moderate lifestyles to reduce energy consumption, massive inertia exists and adjustment towards more energy efficient lifestyles will take some considerable time and infrastructural changes. This is exacerbated by sustained and rapid global economic growth as nations like China and India develop at an accelerated pace and consume increasing amounts of fossil fuels to feed their production of goods and services.
Climate change is a phenomenon that has no respect for national boundaries or sovereign states. All nations contribute to the problem and all are affected. However, there is not a direct correlation between the magnitude of contribution and the magnitude of effect. Ironically, the nations affected most by climate change may be the ones with the least part in creating the problem. The USA for instance, emits 36% of global CO2 emissions. But by far the larger portion of the costs for adapting to the effects of global warming will fall on developing nations, and in particular small-island developing states. This is a gross inequity which has to be addressed in the name of justice and future economic and social stability.
Source: Combat Climate Change Initiative (www.combatclimatechange.org) Responses to climate change
Although there is still much uncertainty over the ultimate consequences of climate change, it is clear that economic shifts will take place due to unstable global environmental conditions. Mass migration is inevitable as certain parts of the world become inhospitable. Military conflicts will take place over resources such as fresh water: there are predictions that the main conflicts in Africa during the next 25 years could be over access to scarce fresh water resources. We are already seeing some of the consequences of climate change, including accelerated melting of glacial ice, rising sea levels and temperature, bleaching of coral reefs, desertification, loss of habitat, and more unpredictable and extreme weather events.
What is needed at this time? Structural changes to energy systems are necessary in order to avert more catastrophic rises in global temperature. Aggressive action must be taken now that will affect the nature of our future emissions, e.g. heavy investment in renewable energy systems. However, not only does a response to climate change require relatively rapid implementation of new technology and equally rapid dismantling of conventional energy systems, but a deeper assessment of the root causes of the current dilemma. Because climate change is rooted into the basic economic processes of human society, the systemic values that undergird the international political economy form the basic drivers of the problem itself and a basic obstacle to any efforts to address it. The world’s response should not be to simply treat symptoms, but to address the root cause of the problem. Otherwise, the fundamental values and norms from which the problem originates are neglected. Climate change forces the world to examine not just the technologies but the philosophies that are at work (e.g. intense consumerism, and extreme and hostile competition).
On the global stage there is much discussion and report writing but little real action by the international community to address climate change concerns. To date, no substantial changes have taken place in energy infrastructure. In fact, consumption of carbon-based fuels is increasing every year. The only real international strategy at this point in time is the Kyoto Protocol, which is really just a starting point for the deep international collaboration that is required to address climate change. Since its inception in 1997 there has been much political hand-wringing over its implementation. There is still broad uncertainty as to what will happen in 2012 when the Kyoto agreement comes to an end.
Global leaders are faced with a great dichotomy as climate change is forcing a revision of how nations interact with each other. We can surmise that whatever the changes triggered by global warming, the best possible response will only be achieved by a new approach to international relations. The basic philosophy of competition and competitiveness at the heart of how nations relate will forever be at odds with the preservation and administration of global common goods such as the environment. The world is in need of a new paradigm to address this issue – one which cannot be rooted in self-interest but rather in a sight of the pre-eminence of global interests above national interests.
And yet, global leaders are obliged to protect the interests and sovereignty of their own nations. Many actions to address climate change may be politically unpopular on a national level and may lead to a perceived reduction in the quality of life for citizens. In a largely democratic world, few political leaders are willing to sacrifice domestic popularity. Those that are, may find that their term of office is cut prematurely short and they lose any leverage to address the issues for which they compromised political power. Nevertheless, the greater good requires that the leaders of some nations deliberately take actions that will reduce the growth of their economies and limit the freedom of their citizens, all for a gain that may not be realised for years to come.
Any leader that has to lead his or her people into sacrifice for a greater good must be utterly convinced of the importance of the cause, must be a visionary, and must be a vision-creator. Democracy demands that, to a greater or lesser extent, the people support the direction taken by its elected leadership. So the leaders have to be convinced and the people have to catch the vision. Leaders have to demonstrate exceptional personal qualities that are generally foreign to politicians. For a start, they have to be more interested in their cause than the elevation of their own status.
The dilemma of climate change is forcing vast shifts in economics, international relations, and leadership capabilities. It is a time of change not only in the climate but in the very structures of life. The future of the planet depends on the emergence of a new calibre of leaders in all spheres of society that are able to reconcile the complexity and pace of changes taking place; leaders that can navigate themselves and society as a whole into a radically different era with minimal collateral damage.
Comments (22)
Wow...this article speaks volume. the Issue is not so much of the Adverse Effects of Climate Change although in one sense, it might seem so..this really goes beyond the Climate Change Resilience and right into the heart of Leadership. And GLI has a great way of looking into such Issues and correct the kinds of perception that people alway resort back to, which is pointing fingers at the Impacts of Climate Climate or the governing tools such as Kyoto Protocol. At the end of the day, what really matters is the Human being that drives the system.
The cause of global warming is increased water vapor resulting from the increased irrigation of desert land.
wow...this article is great. It is so true- the problem is the leadership. GLobal warming is a global issue and it demands global initiatives; a fragmented globe can never remedy the problem. Self-interest and competition are the catalysts of the climatic decline. GLI really analyzes issues at their roots. Cheers!
I agree, addressing these issues will require an emergence of a new brand of leadership with a new global approach in looking at issues at stake and not from protectionist, self interest mindsets.
This is a great article.
Global warming is just one symptom of the disease affecting the environment. This disease has come as a result of decay in values-based leadership in many of the nations. Many of these leaders pursue their political interests and do not have a futuristic eye. The existing legislation cannot treat the disease, because the problem is deeply rooted in the heart of man.
The treatment will encompass a radical re-configuration of the human heart and align it to ethical values.
At last! Somenoe who understands! Thanks for posting!
I tend to agree with the author in that, climate change is a very serious matter that has yet been exposed to serious or even radical change in which to combat it. The leaders of the developed nations are the biggest culprits but are held least accountable simply for the fact that the tend to hold greater economic status.
I think it up to these top producers to really put economic supremacy arms race aside and lead by action to aid in combating this problem.
I think Arnold hit the nail flush on its head
Every individual conforms to some basic form of nationalism. Through reasoning and other factors we deduce that transcending this mentality is necessary to prevent the looming global threat of climate change. In other words, if we prioritize our hegemon from a nationalistic to a global view then dealing with the problem is quite feasible. The second to last paragraph brings to light strong characteristics for attaining this goal but induces very realistic challenges. For instance in a democracy, even if the leader's goal is to address the problem, the challenge resides within the people to share his/her ideology or else its application becomes transient or non-existent. In my opinion, only a nation trained to appreciate and care for its global environment and places global health above individual desires and sovereign power can initiate and consistently tackle the threat of climate change. If this is achieved at a global level, only then can climate change be managed and reduced over time.
This article has been a very interesting one. It lends me to think that the issue of diplomacy is very much needed to deal with the dilemma. As was stated in the article, climate change knows no boundary. Therefore it does not hold true to the concept of sovereignty. As such, as major industrial countries produce materials and products thereby raising greenhouse gas levels, the countries being affected the most are those which hardly produce such gases. Notwithstanding, diplomacy in the context of environmental diplomacy is needed to deal with such an on-going issue since no one country is totally responsible for climate change. There is a need for shared responsibility and the practice of diplomacy in treating with this ordeal. Diplomacy usually is known to treat with hard power issues such as war and peace but in the twenty-first century it has begun to deal more with soft power issues such as the environment and health.
I appreciated the emphasis placed on the response of the leaders across the globe to the universal issue of climate change. I especially liked the line “For a start, they have to be more interested in their cause than the elevation of their own status.” It is a simple solution that could have massive ramifications. If leaders could work together for a significant cause, which ultimately impacts them just as much as the people they represent, who knows what else could spring forth as a result.
What a perspective, a rich and transformational article. its opened my eyes to see the integration of economics, international relations and the needed leadership capacities that is at the core of every globalization.
The philosophy of "global leaders being obligated to protect the interests and sovereighity of thier own nations" is an alarming reality that is long over due. indeed its time to re-stucture our planet . As students what is our role?
The quotation you mentioned is indeed a great concern and I agree it is an alarming reality, but is still quite a natural reaction. Anthropology has shown us that, despite being somewhat irrational in nature, patriotism was a necessity for the survival of 'tribal' groups and by extension probably still is a necessity in the advancement of societies. This goes to show that even if something is natural does not fundamentally make it right. Independent of their obligations, leaders and more importantly nations need to attack the global issue at hand rather than address its less significant concern of sovereign power.
Your rhetorical question sums up quite nicely the dilemma future leaders face as well as forces us to consider, indeed, "As students, what is our role?"
One specific point is “Leaders have to demonstrate exceptional personal qualities and they have to be more interested in their cause than the elevation of their own status”. On the topic of “Impact of the individual on systems”, leaders should display attitudes such as integrity, honesty, other-mindedness, foresight, sense of mission, self-governance, etc. Leaders are faced with great challenges such as huge responsibilities, high penalties, high expectations, amplified actions (in this case, addressing climatic change), etc. but above all this, they need to make the correct decisions in every situation because they are responsible to the people they serve and how they respond have an impact on human lives, environment, etc. I contribute to the effects of global warming by the products I buy and use which are sold on the markets on a day to day basis. I agree that one of the factors that contribute to global warming is leadership and their self-interest and competition across the nations. In reality, the hegemon of global leaders are power, money, status/recognition rather than seeking the interest of others (other-mindedness). If the leaders really wanted to curb the effects of global warming, they would have worked together in unity and implemented stringent strategies to deal with it. Future leaders should make responsible decisions that would bring benefit others rather than seeking their own self-interest.
Human activity certainly affects our climate changes drastically. To satisfy mankind’s daily living or general operation there is a necessity for the use of energy. Today’s world is heavily dependent on such sources and to accumulate them, it is quite destructive. As stated in the article “All nations contribute to the problem and are affected”. Our leader’s decisions impact us drastically and if necessary time and effort are not taken to consider these actions, then our climate change will continue to deteriorate. Collectively as one, planning carefully about ways to improve the global issues and to prevent them from increasing is something that needs to be done immediately.
The author conveyed one of the main problems affecting mankind presently. I personally agree that there are no real actions taken by the international community’s to address the global warming problem. We all know the route of the causes and the effects, yet it still continues. We are basically “committing suicide”. To address this problem, all the countries over the world must work together, finding solutions for cleaner energy production and lower the carbon footprint. Although the leaders have their fair share of work, the people themselves need to lend a hand in resolving the problem. A simple decision of car pooling would help reduce the carbon footprint. Altogether, global warming is caused by everyone on our planet, and it should be everyone’s responsibility to clean up the mess made, for the betterment of mankind.
In accordance to the last paragraph in the article, ‘The future of the planet depends on the emergence of a new calibre of leaders in all spheres of society that are able to reconcile the complexity and pace of changes taking place; leaders that can navigate themselves and society as a whole into a radically different era with minimal collateral damage.’ From an ethical point of view, the amplified action of the leader is that anything the leader does has impact on a wider body. As a matter of fact the leader is indicting with the responsibility of performing vital task on behalf of others. Leaders should more focus on trying to establish multiple ways to solve the problem other than addressing them. Many and varied solutions to climate change have been proposed, including individual frugality, energy conservation measures, renewable energy, and carbon sequestration. However, we the people should drive to solve this problem as well because by the end of the day, we all contribute to this problem.
The article above was very informative and self explanatory it painted a clear picture of the core issues on climate change. Highlighting the causes but more importantly the remedy for the problem the world is faced with today. Like in a previous article we see that for the world to survive there cant be" national boundaries or sovereign states." Climate change waits on no one nation and we all stand equally guilty if we stand by and let this problem flourish. "Nevertheless, the greater good requires that the leaders of some nations deliberately take actions that will reduce the growth of their economies and limit the freedom of their citizens, all for a gain that may not be realised for years to come," this sentence stood out to me. It call for the bigger issues to hold precedence rather than just strive for growth at any cost rather than seeking to ensure that there is a world to leave behind for future generations. There is no point in trying to build for the present generation if it is all destroyed by global warming before future generations can enjoy the same privileges. If leaders of today sacrifice now and think in the longer term encouraging their societies to do the same then global warming can slowly but surely begin to decrease benefiting not just there nation but the world as a whole.
yea its true, global warming has been increasing at an alarming rate. Humanity has but only themselves to blame for it. I think that world leaders are not doing enough to prevent it. Most countries are waiting for one another to change, when in retrospect they themselves can change and make a difference. I have never seen a country today, that has taken a true initiative to lower global warming. How can we build for a brighter future, when our foundation is built bad? If leaders today had any ethical values, slowly but surely we can make a difference.
I must agree with the article that humans are the major cause of planetary warming and hence climate change. The fact is that the leader’s of developed nation’s greed for power and economic supremacy is the main driving catalyst behind global warming and What leaders fail to realize, is that climate change has no respect for national boundaries or sovereign states and all nations contribute to the problem. We all live a global society and I believe change is imminent when and only when nation leaders change their mentality from one which is nationalistic to one of a global view, not forgetting change start with us as individuals.
I am further compel to agree with Mr. Arnold when he said the existing legislation cannot treat the disease because the problem is deeply rooted in the heart of man and that treatment will encompass a radical re configuration of the human heart and align it to ethical values.
"And yet, global leaders are obliged to protect the interests and sovereignty of their own nations." The conflict between economic growth and global responsibility is one which will dominate this global society in the coming years. Many a politician will pay the price for leaning towards reducing the impact of climate change. Any policy which reduces the quality of the lives of a nation's people will come with adverse repercussions. This is no where more obvious than the unwillingness of the United States to implement the recommendations of the Kyoto protocol, even after the introduction of loopholes, such as credits that would allow more greenhouse gas emission. While not climate change related, the Greek economic downturn and the subsequent austerity measures implemented caused the downfall of the then government. This clearly shows that society is unwilling to take measures which put them at a loss. Politicians will need to find a balance point. Unfortunately for them, this will not be easy, and many a politician who stands up for climate change reduction will pay the price at the polls. The problem is that action is required now, or we may lose greatly in the long run. Polar bears may soon be extinct due to the lack of supporting ice in the arctic circle. We may lose some Pacific islands completely as the sea level rises. It is unfortunate that the smallest players are most affected by climate change.
This article was very informative. It gave me insight into a method, which could be used to minimize global warming from a leadership perspective. The article states, “The world is in need of a new paradigm to address this issue – one which cannot be rooted in self-interest but rather in a sight of the pre-eminence of global interests above national interests.” That line shows that each individual nation or sovereign states needs to address this problem of global warming by managing their output of greenhouse gases today in order to have an effect tomorrow. Leaders, however, need to make a firm decision about their economic growth and needless high living. “Any leader that has to lead his or her people into a sacrifice for a greater good must be utterly convinced of the importance of the cause, must be a visionary, and must be a vision-creator,” simply put, leaders have to find ways to convince their nation that the way forward is to minimize carbon output at the expense of economic growth.
With respect to global warming, we all contribute to it regardless of which nation we belong to. Drawing reference from that, we as individuals need to contribute towards solving issues affecting our friends and neighbors globally. The decisions of our leaders in today's society significantly impacts everyone good or bad, with that being said, the individuals that we choose to be key decision makers should be ones which are remembered by history for their self-sacrifice towards the overall benefit of the masses rather than the isolation and concern for their own sovereign power. Where can we find such individuals of distinction in our society? As my colleague Darius had mentioned above, if we augment our hegemons from selfish views to global views we can tackle global problems and also help nurture, and help promote transparent and accountable leadership within each and every individual for the long term sustainable development of future generations to come.