This document discusses concerns about global warming and our responsibility towards the environment. It notes that while our scientific knowledge has grown, other insights from ethics and religion regarding our relationship with the planet should also be considered. It discusses how human exploitation of natural resources since the Industrial Revolution has disturbed nature's balance. While a return to a primitive lifestyle is not feasible, a proper balance is needed between human progress and environmental protection. The document advocates that we act as stewards of the Earth and consider both present and future generations as well as international equity in tackling climate change.

1. 1 S T T U T O R I A L 2 7 T H J A N ( W E E K 3 )
( H O U G H T O N , C H . 8 )
G L O B A L W A R M I N G : A C O M P L E T E B R I E F I N G
Why should we be concerned?
(Discussion on Houghton
Chapter 8)

2. Why should we be concerned?
 What is our responsible to climate, if any, do we have
for the planet as a whole and the great variety of
other forms of life that inhabit it, or for future
generations of human beings?
 Does our scientific knowledge in any way match up
with other insights, for instance ethical and religious
ones, regarding our relationship with our
environment?

3. Earth in the balance
 Al Gore, Vice-president of U.S. entitled a book
named “Earth in the balance”
 Balance in the environment that need to be
maintained
 The size and scale of human activities continue to
increase, so it will cause seriousness of disturbance
to nature balance
 Human beings are at the center of concerns for
sustainable development. They are entitled to a
healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.

4. Exploitation
 Human started exploiting the Earth resource since
Industrial Revolution 200 years ago
 Iron, zinc, copper, lead many millions of tonnes are
mined each year.
 Oil and gas now supply over twice the energy supplied by
coal.
 Forests have been cut down on a large scale to make
room for agriculture and for human habitation.
 Only half of the mature tropical forests that existed a few
hundred years ago still stand.
 Nature took a million years to lay down at the amount of
fossil fuel that we now burn worldview every year, so is it
balance and sustainable?

5. “Back to nature”
 Adopt a much more primitive lifestyle and give up a large part
of industry and intensive farming, does it work?
 Population is 6 times what it was 200 years ago and 3 times
that of 50 years ago – cannot fed the population without
intensive farming and food supply
 Most people did not prepare to give out modernized living
style
 A proper balance between humans and the environment must
leave room for humans to exercise their creative skills.
 “Back to nature” viewpoint is neither balance nor sustainable.

6. The unity of the Earth
 We all have not just for each other but also for the
larger world of all living things.
 Chemical composition of the Earth’s atmosphere is
very different from that of our nearest planetary
neighbors, Mars and Venus.
 The Earth dose not belong to human, human belongs
to the Earth.

7. Environmental values
 Conservation of the Earth and its resources, not just
for our generation but for future generations.
 Natural values (valuing the natural world) and
cultural values (interpersonal, social and community
values) belong together.

8. Stewards of the Earth
 We are on the Earth as its stewards
 We are more often exploiters and spoilers (users)
than cultivators (producers)

9. Equity – intergenerational and international
 There is our responsibility to future generations
 International equity where climate change creates an
enormous challenge to the international community
(e.g. carbon emission trading, Kyoto protocol)

10. The will to act
 “Mostly we know what to do but we lack the will to
do it ”
 Provide an important driving force for action is often
recognized by those who look elsewhere than religion
for a solution.

11. This week discussions
 How far can science be involved in the generation and
application of environmental values?
 Explain how the cultural or religious traditions in which you
have been brought up have influenced your view of
environmental concern or action. How have these influences
been modified because you now hold(or do not hold) definite
religious beliefs?
 Climate change will impact on the world’s poor more than on
the world’s rich people. Find out and compare how caring for
the poor, especially those in regions or countries most
disadvantaged by climate change, is approached by the
world’s major religions and by secular societies.

12. Next Week
 Week 4:
 Reading from Maslin, response of different countries