The challengesof global warming 323The particular characteristic of global warming, compared with most
environmental problems, is that it isglobal. However, though everybody
contributes to it to a greater or lesser extent, its adverse impact will not
fall uniformly. Many, especially in the developing world, will experience
significant damage; some others, mostly in the developed world, may in
fact gain from it. This non-uniformity of impact also applies to local pol-
lution. But, for local pollution, the adverse effects are more apparent and
immediate than is the case with global warming. It is therefore impera-
tive that information about the effects of the burning of fossil fuels on
the global climate becomes more widely available, so leading to greater
awareness that an individual burning fossil fuels anywhere in the world
has impact globally. And a global problem demands a global solution.
That the ‘polluter should pay’ when the pollution is global rather
than local is one of the Principles (Principle 16) enshrined in the Rio
Declaration of June 1992. Chapters 9 and 10 presented some of the
mechanisms that have been devised to apply this principle on a global
scale.
There is already some experience in tackling an environmental prob-
lem of global scale: the depletion of stratospheric ozone because of the
injection by humans of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere
possesses similar globalcharacteristics to the global warming problem.
An effective mechanism for tackling and solving the problem of ozone
depletion has been established through the Montreal Protocol. All nations
contributing to the damage have agreed to phase out their emissions of
harmful substances. The richer nations involved have also agreed to pro-
vide finance and technology transfer to assist developing countries to
comply. A way forward for addressing global environmental problems
has therefore been charted.
Moving in that direction in the case of global warming will not be
easy because the problem is so much larger and because it strikes so
much nearer to the core of human resources and activities – such as
energy and transport – upon which our quality of life depends. However,
abatement ofthe use of fossil fuels need not destroy or even diminish our
quality of life; it should actually improve it! In tackling the problem of
global warming there are particular responsibilities and challenges for
different communities of expertise which generally transcend national
boundaries.
For the world’sscientiststhe brief is clear: to provide better infor-
mation especially about the expected climate change on the regional
and local level, always keeping an appropriate emphasis on the un-
certainties of prediction. Not only politicians and policymakers but
also ordinary people need the information provided in the clearest