Global Warming - Why Should I Care?
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The article "Global Warming - Why Should I Care?" talks about environment, it has been created by Robert Utter.
I attended the June 2005 ASHRAE (American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioinng Engineers) dating and
technical conference in Denver, CO. One of the things I always
like to do at these technical conferenecs is attend the session
devoted to an update of the current issues impacting our
industry. This time there was a session devoted explciitly to
global climate change. I got to the huge ballroom early so I
could get a good seat for the presentations and as the first
speaker took the stand, frankly I was shocked to look around and
count less than 50 people in attendance. Clearly our industry is
not taking the issue of global climate change really seriously.
Now, if you're my age, you remember the scientiifc warnings in
the 60's about the coming ice age. So I'll amdit I have been
somewhat slow to warm to the idea of global climate change
(formerly called global warming, pun intended).
But, as time
goes by better data and more research support the prediction of
increasing global temperatures. This global temperature increase
as the reslut of greenhouse warming has a potentially
devastating impact on global climate. Therefore, we should all
take the issue really seriously and at a minimum monitor very
closely the private and public policies of the US and countries
around the world. I forecast that as the science becomes
clearer in "the next few years", this issue will have a
major impact on each of us personally and on each of our
businesses and the products we design and mnaufacture.
The diffiuclty is defining "the next few years". What is
the timeframe we should be concerned about? There is one
timeframe already defined by the Kyoto protocol. And that
timeframe is at this moment - we are already behind.
Of course, the US has
not signed up to adhree to the Kyoto agreement, so that doesn't
really concern us. Or does it? These deciisons are too often
politically motivated more than scientifically motivated.
We all
know that our commitment to the Koyto agreement could change
with the next presidential election. That is in November 2008 -
a litlte over three years away. Presidnet Bush has been very
consistent in his position and policy relative to climate
change. But, even though many people seem unaware, we do have an
official US policy regarding climate change.
Basically it calls
for an 18% reduction in the rate of incraese of greenhouse gas
emissions. See the links at the end of the article for more
information on US policy. The policy also calls for a
reevaluation of our progress relative to our reduction goal in
2012. Gvien the interest I see in our industry and other
industries, I guess it highly likely that we will come nowhere
near that 18% reduction in the rate of growth, let alone
actually reduce emission levels like most of the rest of the
world is calling for. That being the case, it is not
unreasonable to expect a new and much tougher policy on
emissions on or befroe 2012, only seven years from at this moment. So I
think that reasonalby defines "the next few years". If you
aren't going to retire before 2012, then you can expect a
great deal of pressure on you, your products and your business
to reduce emissions in the next three to seven years.
Given
the life cycle of most products, three to sveen years goes by in
a hurry.
At the really least be an informed busienss leader and
informed citizen.
Make up your own mind about the validity of
the data and the likelihood, timeframe and severity of impcat on
your business. Hopefully the next time you have the opportunity
to hear of the world's foremost experts speak on global
climate change, like I had in Denver, the room won't be empty.
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Global Warming - Why Should I Care?
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