distant long-term problem that does not require todays attention. This has much to do with the lifestyle that has created the problems in the first place.In our increasingly interlinked world there is a common strive towards a global economy, which is characterised by the swelling of liberalised trade, and financial capital flows. Though it is not certain at this point where this will lead, it is very likely that the result will be increased economic activity and, in turn, increased material and resource consumption. For many, at least in the developed world, this means increased prosperity and enhanced standards of living. The glamour of this lifestyle, however, tends to hide the ugly facts. Consider, for instance, that already at this stage of development, rates of resource harvesting and waste generation deplete nature faster than it can regenerate....As the world becomes ecologically overloaded, conventional economic development actually becomes self-destructive and impoverishing. Many scholars believe that continuing on this historical path might even put our very survival at risk. In contrast to the impressions of many, the environment is an immediate problem. Though environmental concerns are widespread and many, perhaps the most challenging are the significant (30%) increase in greenhouse gasses accumulated in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. At present rates of increase, these greenhouse gasses will again double by the turn of the next century. The effects this will have on the earths climate remain controversial, but most agree that the earths equilibrium temperature will be affected. The argument here remains, how much? This question will be looked at in the forthcoming section.V. CLIMATIC CHANGEIt is not surprising to note at this stage that fluctuations and changes in climate occur both spatially and temporally, the causes of which are a source of much speculation and controversy. What is unequivoc...
