Post by jackke116 on Dec 4, 2012 22:18:09 GMT -5
The Warming Problem
The Age of Reason Philosophy first emerging in the 1700s was unprecedented in its view of the capabilities of man. The philosophy stated that any problem could be overcome through abiding by a set method of action. In embodiment of this philosophy in the modern era, the United Nations met in 2009 and created a treaty to limit an international crisis: Global Warming. Dating back to the start of the Industrial Revolution, the level of the heat-trapping gas, carbon dioxide, has increased 41% and global temperature has increased 1.5 degrees. Further increases in carbon dioxide levels promise higher seas, greater coastal flooding, more intense weather disasters, and extreme acidification of the world’s oceans. The nations agreed to limit Earth’s warming to 3.6 degrees. Despite the commitment nations have pledged to this goal, researchers affiliated with the Global Carbon Project worry that it may not be attainable. Unfortunately, the formal treaty has been largely disregarded by most nations. The unwillingness of various nations within the United Nations to combat Global Warming indicates the flaw within Age of Reason thinking: human tendencies to follow the easier, less restrictive path rather than the more difficult path necessary for public advancement.
The United Nations has, since the establishment of their formal treaty aimed at limiting warming, largely descended from the initial course of action as individual nations naturally seek more convenient, and less restricting policies in defiance of Age of Reason thinking. This year the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is meeting under their established treaty, with an agenda marking little progress on an international protocol designed to stem Global Warming. In creating a treaty, the U.N. established a set method for dealing with climate change, an essential component of the Age of Reason philosophy. However, the U.N. shows little interest in abiding by its set method. The slow progress is not the fault of highly developed countries such as the United States, where domestic policies have led to a decline in emissions. Industrializing countries such as India and China continue to generate large increases in coal related emissions. The U.N. fails to commit to the treaty by allowing nations to follow their own agendas, detrimental to the treaty’s goals. The U.N.’s mistakes, and the actions of developing countries, indicate an unwavering human tendency to abandon one’s goals in order to escape the challenges a plan poses. The U.N.’s actions mimic the actions of Benjamin Franklin in his autobiography, documenting how he fell short in his quest for moral purity. Just as Franklin abandoned hope of attaining his goal because of its restrictive nature, the U.N. fails to attain its goal due its restrictions on countries. Both addressed extremely formidable issues that required total commitment, and were ultimately unable to discipline themselves to fully succeed. Age of Reason Thinking is therefore sensible in theory but often unrealistic when dealing with large-scale issues requiring the fullest commitment. Ultimately, the Age of Reason philosophy fails to recognize the human tendency to avoid arduous, restrictive processes such as those required to fight Global Warming.
In conclusion, the Age of Reason concept that any problem can be overcome through the use of a well constructed method wanes in the face of a demanding global crisis. In order to solve a global issue, nations are required to unite as one body and remain faithful to their established goal. Nations harbor individualistic interests and often abandon the course set to achieve an international objective. Only time will tell if the nations of the world can unite to overcome this crisis.
Word Count: 595
Works Consulted
Gillis, Justin, and John Broder. "With Carbon Dioxide Emissions at Record High, Worries on How to
Slow Warming." New York Times [New York] 2 Dec. 2012: n. pag. Print.
The Age of Reason Philosophy first emerging in the 1700s was unprecedented in its view of the capabilities of man. The philosophy stated that any problem could be overcome through abiding by a set method of action. In embodiment of this philosophy in the modern era, the United Nations met in 2009 and created a treaty to limit an international crisis: Global Warming. Dating back to the start of the Industrial Revolution, the level of the heat-trapping gas, carbon dioxide, has increased 41% and global temperature has increased 1.5 degrees. Further increases in carbon dioxide levels promise higher seas, greater coastal flooding, more intense weather disasters, and extreme acidification of the world’s oceans. The nations agreed to limit Earth’s warming to 3.6 degrees. Despite the commitment nations have pledged to this goal, researchers affiliated with the Global Carbon Project worry that it may not be attainable. Unfortunately, the formal treaty has been largely disregarded by most nations. The unwillingness of various nations within the United Nations to combat Global Warming indicates the flaw within Age of Reason thinking: human tendencies to follow the easier, less restrictive path rather than the more difficult path necessary for public advancement.
The United Nations has, since the establishment of their formal treaty aimed at limiting warming, largely descended from the initial course of action as individual nations naturally seek more convenient, and less restricting policies in defiance of Age of Reason thinking. This year the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is meeting under their established treaty, with an agenda marking little progress on an international protocol designed to stem Global Warming. In creating a treaty, the U.N. established a set method for dealing with climate change, an essential component of the Age of Reason philosophy. However, the U.N. shows little interest in abiding by its set method. The slow progress is not the fault of highly developed countries such as the United States, where domestic policies have led to a decline in emissions. Industrializing countries such as India and China continue to generate large increases in coal related emissions. The U.N. fails to commit to the treaty by allowing nations to follow their own agendas, detrimental to the treaty’s goals. The U.N.’s mistakes, and the actions of developing countries, indicate an unwavering human tendency to abandon one’s goals in order to escape the challenges a plan poses. The U.N.’s actions mimic the actions of Benjamin Franklin in his autobiography, documenting how he fell short in his quest for moral purity. Just as Franklin abandoned hope of attaining his goal because of its restrictive nature, the U.N. fails to attain its goal due its restrictions on countries. Both addressed extremely formidable issues that required total commitment, and were ultimately unable to discipline themselves to fully succeed. Age of Reason Thinking is therefore sensible in theory but often unrealistic when dealing with large-scale issues requiring the fullest commitment. Ultimately, the Age of Reason philosophy fails to recognize the human tendency to avoid arduous, restrictive processes such as those required to fight Global Warming.
In conclusion, the Age of Reason concept that any problem can be overcome through the use of a well constructed method wanes in the face of a demanding global crisis. In order to solve a global issue, nations are required to unite as one body and remain faithful to their established goal. Nations harbor individualistic interests and often abandon the course set to achieve an international objective. Only time will tell if the nations of the world can unite to overcome this crisis.
Word Count: 595
Works Consulted
Gillis, Justin, and John Broder. "With Carbon Dioxide Emissions at Record High, Worries on How to
Slow Warming." New York Times [New York] 2 Dec. 2012: n. pag. Print.