On 30th January 2009, 3 distinguished speakers delivered their presentations to hall full of undergraduates regarding global warming at NUS. The first speaker was Prof. Andrew C. Palmer, who is currently based in Centre of Offshore Research (CORE), Department of Civil Engineering of NUS.  The second speaker was Dr. Benjamin K. Sovacool; who is a research Fellow in Lee Kuan Yew's School of Public Policy. The last speaker was Dr. Rajasekhar Bala; Associate Professor from the Division of Environmental Science and Engineering of NUS. 

Prof. Andrew C. Palmer started his presentation by stating a list of factors that influences changes in policies around the world and pointing out that global warming is among the top priorities of policymakers around the world. He went on to suggest a strategy in tackling global warming that includes utilizing existing technologies and devising schemes with significant efficacy. Then, he identified several key sectors in tackling global warming such as improving fuel efficiency and carbon sequestering before emphasizing that it is possible that more than one key sector to be addressed to ensure the substantial improvement. Among these sectors, Prof. Palmer chose to explain carbon sequestering. At this point, he explained the details of carbon capture and storage, constraints involved if this method is adopted and some suggested solutions. He continued with a brief description on the option of geo-engineering before wrapping up his presentation with emphasis on the political will to make changes that has always hamper efforts in addressing global warming.

Associate Professor Dr. Benjamin K. Sovacool from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy explained on a systematic approach towards technologies known as Science and Technology studies. This systematic approach, as Dr. Sovacool shared, serves as a guideline in analyzing and assessing existing science and technologies economically, socially and politically. The adaption of this approach in designing plans to tackle global warming allows holistic assessment. By adapting this approach, details of plans that can be improved shall be promptly addressed. Besides, this approach allows glimpses into the complex network of technology, socio-economy and politics. Such opportunity in turn provides plausible explanations for the successes and failures of technologies. Dr. Sovacool presented two case studies as examples; the rejection of electric-powered vehicles and nuclear energy, two technologies that have the potential to change the course of efforts against global warming. He further explained that electric-powered vehicle lost out to its nearest competitor; gas-powered vehicle. Even though the technology of powering vehicles with electricity is now deemed years ahead of its time when it was introduced in the early 20^th century, gas-powered vehicles found their ways into the car market through clever marketing schemes. That technology failed to appeal to the masses and thus lost ground to rival technology, despite the higher ground it has. Another case studies presented by Dr. Sovacool was the adaption of nuclear energy. He cited list of plausible socio-economic and political reasons for the lukewarm response shown towards this form of energy.

Dr. Rajasekhar Bala begun his presentation by providing statistical data and scientific consensus on environmental issues provided by international environmental groups such as the IPCC. He elaborated on agents of global warming known as green house gases and their roles in global warming. He also mentioned the dire consequences of global warming if this issue is not addressed promptly with adequate actions. As an example, he highlighted policies adapted by the Singapore government which reflects her role in the battle against global warming, particularly Singapore Green Plan 2007 and Singapore Green Plan 2012.

Among all three speakers, I found that Dr. Sovacool's presentation was the most intriguing and thought-provoking. His points were clear and easily comprehended but convey messages that condense the essences of environmental preservation efforts. I was able to realize the inadequacy of conventional approach towards mitigation efforts through the two case studies presented. The shortcomings mitigation efforts may not lie in their technicalities but perhaps other aspects that I think are often overlooked. I realized that any mitigation effort needs to be economically and technically feasible, socially acceptable. Political wills may determines the fate of mitigation efforts too among the aforementioned aspects. The complex network of technologies, mitigation efforts notwithstanding, commands holistic mitigation plans so that the efforts can succeed.

The documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" presented by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Al Gore mainly revolves around the former US Vice President's efforts in ascertaining unequivocal facts among the public that global warming is occurring and that its implications are severe. The documentation of efforts that an individual can put in to address global warming is a twist from the conventional climate change mitigation strategies that require joint efforts of environmental and special interest groups. Although Al Gore has resources that many individuals lack; political influence, financial backup, and scientific database, he proved that individual efforts can contribute to solving global warming by reaching out to the public and educating the masses about global warming. Collective efforts, however, are still the most effective measure to counter the global issue of climate change as individual efforts are rarely noticed. Environmental and special interest groups are more likely to garner support in their causes and contribute to solving global warming than individuals undertaking the same path. Al Gore is truly an exception in this matter.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a sub-organization of the United Nations (UN) is among the forerunners in combating climate change. UNEP serves to oversee the development of environmentally sound policies and encourages sustainable development in those countries. Other priorities of UNEP include constantly reviewing the global environment and bringing pressing issues of global warming to the attention of governments and the international community. UNEP has attained many achievements through its 7 divisions in the combat against environmental issues thus far. One of the most prominent achievements is the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the World Meteorological Organization (IMO). IPCC is a scientific body that aims to provide scientific information related to climate change. UNEP has also successfully launched India Solar Loan Programme in 2007; a programme that provided 18000 households in India with photovoltaic electrical energy supply.1 This type of initiatives is not limited to domestic households as UNEP also encourages the use of renewable and clean energy among industries in the developing world through the Rural Energy Enterprise Development (REED). The REED is responsible for the injection of more than USD$10 million in Brazil, China, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Tanzania and Zambia to develop renewable energy technologies in the aforementioned countries. IPCC, India Solar Loan Programme and REED make up only a tiny fraction of the UNEP list of measures adopted to address global climate change, with more programmes to be developed and undertaken as a result of active collaboration to governments and non-governmental organizations alike.

The IPCC main focus is to establish a database of global warming-related scientific literature. The panel evaluates risk of climate change induced by human activities and provide scientifically feasible suggestions for adoption and mitigation to policy makers all over the world. Ever since its inception in 1988, the IPCC has published 4 reports, one each in 1992, 1995, 2001 and 2007. The reports mainly consists of data of environmental issues, their possible causes, observed and projected impacts on the environment and followed up by outlines of measures that can be taken in various socio-economic sectors. In its recent report, the IPCC has included energy supply as one of the key factors in tackling climate change. As of now, the IPCC has identified that high-carbon emission energy generation technology is the mainstream energy supply globally and widespread adoption of low-carbon emission technology may takes decades to realise. The growing demand for energy from current economic giants and emerging economies such as China and India calls for energy sources of higher capacities and efficiency as energy consumption is projected to increase drastically in years to come. Even though low-carbon technology may not be able to fully replace high-carbon technology in the short run in terms of energy output, it certainly has the potential in the long run. Renewable energy sources identified by the panel includes hydropower, solar, wind, and geothermal, which leave less to no undesirable impacts on the environment as compared to conventional energy sources such as coal and oil, with the exception of hydropower. These sources do not require extraction process similar to those of fossil fuels and there is hardly any emission of green house gases (GHG) from power plants which utilize these sources as no combustion is involved. The panel then further elaborated on policies and measures related to adoption of clean and renewable energy sources proven to be effective and their key constraints in implementation. Other key points covered in the IPCC reports were subjected to the same argument. By providing comprehensive studies in the cause and effect of climate change, the panel is able to provide extensive information needed to tackle global warming. As much as drastic actions need to be taken when it comes to global warming, taking the right action is just as important and in that sense the IPCC can provide the essence of taking the right actions in tackling global warming.

Both UNEP and IPCC operate at a global scale and thus their efforts have far-reaching impacts. This type of top down approach, however, often fails to display the urgency in dealing with pressing issues such as global warming. Their efforts are often hampered by constraints in various level of governance. Governments may not adopt suggestions drafted because consensus that these bodies achieved are not obligatory and more than often the measures suggested do not agree with economic interests that are lobbied by groups with vested interests. Economic constraints aside, it is observed that political will is still lacking when it comes to adopting necessary changes to tackle global warming. The situation might change for better in the future as impacts of global warming become more prominent.

Reference :

Laurie David,Lawrence Bender, Scott Z. Burns (Producers) &
David Guggenheim (Director). 2006.
An Inconvenient Truth [Motion Picture].
United States : Paramount Classics.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2007).
Climate Change 2007 : Synthesis Report, Summary for Policymakers
Retrived January 30, 2009, from 
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf

United Nation Environment Programme. (2007).
UNEP 2007 Annual Report
Retrieved January 30, 2009, from
http://www.unep.org/PDF/AnnualReport/2007/AnnualReport2007_en_web.pdf