Saturday, February 6, 2010
Climate Change Requires Global Collective Action
It is globally agreed that our planet is facing severe climate problems and it needs serious action. But there always lies a difference in agreement between the nations on when and how to address this threat.The developing and the developed nations are never on agreement on the issue that till what level the greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced.The question lies that when this climate change is beneficial for all the countries then why don't we see a collective action. Why the countries with eminent leaders have failed to reach to a solution to this potential threat?
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One reason might be that none of the so called leaders are selfless utilitarian. Even they want to be, they can’t due to the enormous pressure they are facing. Each one is trying to get the maximum share in profit earned collectively while incurring the minimum cost. That’s why they are not coming on a common consensus.
It is also a question of who considers it to be a potential threat in the first place. While countries like Hawaii may fear drowning, others like U.S may remain largely unaffected. And knowing that U.S is the leader in world politics, it is obvious that it won't take steps that are in the interest of the smaller countries.
The whole idea about global warming not really being a threat and the figures being inflated is a different issue.
There s an interesting article about it here.
-p30004
This issue again highlights the fact that unless there is no self interest involved, the members will not take much interest in participation. Our environment is a common good and the harmful effects of global warming are going to affect the future generations the most. Since the countries do not directly benefit (now) from curbing the economic activities, there is little incentive for them to be concerned about this issue.
This can be sighted as one of the many reasons for the failure of this collective action .
It might be that an attempt to control climate change is good for the world (the collective) as a whole. However for different nations the cost of this endeavour will be different. Further there is no agreement on costs sharing. Every nation is trying to go for a mechanism under which its cost is lesser than the benefits. However this might cause other nations to incur a cost greater than the benefit; thus they are never in agreement. This prevents a build up of the critical mass of nations required for a successful collective action in combating climate change.
It is interesting to note that in issues like climate change, reducing GHG emissions etc collective actions are in force. In fact two major collective actions are operating one in favour of these legislations and the other against it.There will be lot of tussle between the groups before any conclusion or consensus can be reached.
sanju 30038
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