6/22 2nd Topic : Global warming

Global Warming      Each year since 2000 average worldwide temperatures have been hotter than the year before. The hottest years ever recorded have all occurred since 1995. The arctic ice cap is melting. There’s no doubt that the earth has entered a period of global warming.      As the world’s 12th largest producer of CO2, the greenhouse gas mostly responsible for the   warming, Korea shares much of the blame for the problem. What happens in the world is important to Korea because extreme weather, which is caused by global warming, is already taking a heavy toll on the country.      One effect of global warming is a rise in sea level due to the melting of glaciers and ice near the north and south poles. Asia is especially vulnerable because many of its biggest cities are located by the sea and will surely be at least partially underwater.      As one of the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, Korea not only has the power to make a difference but also has an obligation to the world to do so.      Koreans say they are worried about global warming, but are they willing to do anything about it? As one of the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases, Korea not only has the power to make a difference but also has an obligation to the world to do so.       However, at the rate that Korea’s energy consumption is increasing, it would seem that the answer to the above question is “No”. In fact, Koreans have been producing more and more CO2 like there’s no tomorrow. Air pollution in Korea has reached a crisis level. But Koreans seem willing to sacrifice the environment in order to drive big cars that burn diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is 15% more energy efficient than gasoline, but it’s also 15% dirtier than gasoline. Burning diesel fuel has helped turn Seoul’s deep blue sky of the 1980s into the hazy gray sky that it is today.      Global warming isn’t a problem that Korea can solve alone, but Koreans can help. Unless they’re willing to make some big lifestyle changes to reduce their use of energy, they will only ensure that the extreme weather they are so worried about will just get worse.   1. What is your opinion about global warming in general? It is really happening, or is the earth just going through a natural warming period? 2. How serious is the problem of global warming for Korea? 3. Since diesel fuel is 15% dirtier than gasoline do you think car companies should continue selling cars that run on diesel? 4. What would have to happen for Koreans to get serious about reducing their energy consumption – a huge typhoon that killed hundreds of people, several years of drought, floods, rising sea water? 5. Will the world change its ways and stop global warming, or will all the destructive weather patterns and sea level rise happen just as predicted?