[NYTr] Climatic Change No "Future Problem" - It's Here Today

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) - Aug 14, 2007
http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles


Climatic Change is Not a Problem of the Future

By Angel Rodriguez Alvarez
AIN Special Service

The diagnosis of the future of the planet cannot be gloomier.  To the 
numerous elements that damage the environment, we must now add others, 
like the direct consequences of turning food into fuel, established as 
the economic policy guideline of the United States, designed and 
defended at all costs by the US president.

The issue has been presented on many occasions as a warning of the 
potential danger that, if continued, will affect the indispensable 
conditions for the life on the planet. Evidently at the service of the 
large transnationals, which produce 25 percent of the contaminating gas 
emissions, the White House has justified its position and has 
systematically refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol.

A UN report on climate change focuses its impact on eight of the 
world's region, such as the Arctic, Southern Africa, the Pacific 
Islands and the coastal regions, as being the most affected.

In North America, for example, the changes are witnessed in the 
increase of temperatures, melting of ice in mountainous regions and the 
advance of the sea in coastal areas. Europe is a more frequent scene of 
flooding and forest fires.  In the south, higher temperatures are 
reported and many areas are suffering from drought. Asia is also 
suffering from the problem: melting of ice in the Himalayas, increase 
in sea levels and flooding, while other regions suffer a a decrease of 
rain affecting crops.  In the last two years there has been various 
strong earthquakes. In Central and South America, tropical forests have 
decreased and there are threats of an increase of the sea level in 
cities located in the Atlantic coasts. The small Pacific islands of 
course are also threatened. You can observe changes in the coastal 
topography of various touristic areas and a decrease of their water 
reserves. Africa, hard hit by poverty and AIDS, is witnessing drought, 
decreasing fishing is and food production.  In many areas, the average 
temperatures are now one Celsius degree higher.

Australia and New Zealand also have reasons to be alarmed.  A lack of 
water has left various species are in danger of extinction, mainly 
those that have their habitat in areas of coral reefs and other 
reserves.

In the Caribbean there is a long list of damages, but we must mention 
the increase in the number of tropical storms and hurricanes with 
registered records of rain and wind. While these disasters are 
underway, only a math equation is enough for the world to pay attention 
to the new threats, if one realizes that the US current demand is for 
35 billion gallons of ethanol.

What amount of land must be occupied for the production of corn to 
satisfy The fact is that one ton of this crop is required to produce an 
average of 413 liters?

The relation of this phenomenon with climate change is not a 
temperamental invention and would be enough one of the number of 
warning formulated by President Fidel Castro on the issue.

In a writing by President Castro on March 28, 2007 he said, "Let us 
finance the poor countries to produce ethanol from corn or any other 
food type and not a single tree will be left to defend humanity from 
climate change."

Faced with these realities, the inhabitants of the planet are required 
to act urgently.  Maybe it's not too late.