Global warming partly caused by humans

With the relief operations for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” victims finally in full steam, it is an opportune time to bring the effects of global warming to everyone’s attention, especially to that of the international community.

While Earth’s climate goes through a natural warming-and-cooling cycle, a significant factor in the unprecedented increase in atmospheric temperature (also known as global warming) is human activities related to the use of fossil fuel (such as oil and coal) and deforestation.

The amount of carbon in the stratosphere has reached dangerous levels. The increasing ferocity of typhoons, record-breaking rainfalls in many areas of the world, including the Philippines, causing killer floods and mudslides, can be attributed to global warming.

For years, developed countries like the United States have refused to heed the clamor for international cooperation to address global warming, because the proposed measures might impact adversely on their economy. As a matter of fact the United States did not sign the original Kyoto Agreement. The Americans continue to use fossil fuel in total disregard of what is happening to the environment.

—BERNARDO D. MORANTTE JR., MD,

Filinvest I, Quezon City