Reader Response (Draft 1)

Chanda (2007) pointed out that countries have been inconsistent in delivering the promises of combating the global warming issue, thus rendering the signatory of Kyoto Protocol as ineffective. Many governments in democratic society do not wish to exchange economic growth for a greener environment simply because it does not guarantee precious votes in the upcoming elections. An example is in Indonesia, where the government stopped giving subsidies on diesel and petrol in order to reduce government spending and tackling the issue on global warming. These actions hike up the price of basic necessities like rice and cooking oil and cause many people unable to afford the items.  It is obvious that when the people are worried for their next meal, they do not place 'a green environment' on their priority, thus leading to riots in many parts of Indonesia. They were unhappy with the decision as it can have detrimental effects to their survival. The ruling government were then voted out of the office during the elections. The threats of global warming are still not grievous enough to be considered a problem in many developing countries where hungers are more prevalent.

Secondly, the presence of a third party can affect the government in drafting out policies beneficial to themselves. For carbon emitting industries, the green policies may reduce their output, and thus lowering the profits as companies are only allowed to emit certain volume of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In order to benefit themselves, the industries spent money in funding the presidential candidates so that when they are elected, the government will make policies advantages to them. One example is during the 2008 presidential elections in the U.S, the campaigns were funded by tyres and automobile industries. Both industries are one of the highest emitter of greenhouse gases and after Obama was elected, several polices that favoured the industries which include higher tax for imported tyres from China and no restriction on the amount of greenhouse gases they can emit were introduce. It is a worthwhile investment for the industries, but a bad news for environmentalists.

It can be difficult to stop these trends, but not impossible. Developed countries can lend a helping hand to the developing countries when dealing with the problems as they may need money to make a significant change with their current policies. For the second point, the government must have integrity to do what is right, than what is expected from a external party, especially when handling issues of environmental problems. There is only one Earth, if we do not preserve it, who will?