Global
Warming
Assalamu’alaikum Wr. Wb.
First of all, let us praise to the Almighty Allah SWT,
because of His Blessing we are able to attend this room
I also would like to say many thanks to the juries and MC
who have given me opportunity to deliver an English speech in front of you all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The title of my speech is “Save Our Earth; Save Our Forest”.
As we know, people from all over the world always
commemorate Earth Day every 22nd April. The idea of earth day is based on the
awareness to save this world from the environmental destruction. It aims at
making global movements to participate actively in saving our earth – the only
planet in which we live.
Our country, Indonesia, which is known as the emerald of
equator, has an important role to keep the balance of world ecological system.
63 percent (or 1,134,000 km2) of our land territory is still as a forest.
Meanwhile, the water area is more than 317,000,000 km2. 17 percent of world
plant and animal species live in Indonesia. It indicates that the ecosystem and
environmental condition in Indonesia will affect the world. In other words, the
environmental damage in Indonesia will influence the sustainability of world
environment.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
One of the causes of environmental damage is deforestation,
or known as the destruction of forest. The deforestation has caused many
disasters in this world, including Indonesia. Floods, earthquakes and
landslides are examples of killing disasters which make us realize that the
existence of forest is very important.
In Addition, another effect of deforestation is related with
the global warming or the increase of global surface temperature which is
mainly caused by the greenhouse effects. We all know, one of the most crucial
issues in celebrating Earth Day is the global warming. It warns us that our
earth is in danger and we should participate actively to take care of our
environment.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The question is, what is the relationship between Earth Day,
global warming, deforestation, and Indonesia?
Indonesia lies in the equator, between the Tropics of Cancer
and Capricorn. Because of its location, Indonesia is rich of rainforests.
Scientists state that the function of rainforests is as the lungs of the world.
They absorb greenhouse gas emissions, turn carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen
(O2). It means that if deforestation keeps going on, the greenhouse effects can
not be reduced and finally the global warming will keep increasing.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We live in the same world; in this earth. The importance of
saving our environment, especially our rainforests, is the need for all of us,
for human being to survive. It is not only for us, but also for our next
generation
Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing
us today. To protect the health and economic well-being of current and future
generations, we must reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases by using the
technology, know-how, and practical solutions already at our disposal.
Tropical deforestation is the largest source of emissions
for many developing countries, but slowing deforestation can't solve the
climate problem by itself. As forest-rich developing countries step up to take
responsibility for reducing their emissions, all industrialized nations should
not only support their efforts but, most importantly, reduce their own
emissions and lead efforts to avert dangerous climate change.
For years we have heard so much about the causes of climate
change, that we’ve missed the fact that there are simple, practical solutions
that can slow this growing problem. Technologies exist today that can cut
emissions of heat-trapping gases and make a real difference in the health of
our planet. And these solutions will be good for our economy, reduce our dependence
on foreign oil, and enhance our energy security.
Global warming doesn’t just mean balmy February days in
northern climes. It also means increasingly hot days in the summer, and a host
of negative impacts that are already under way and are expected to intensify in
the
coming decades.
-More heat waves will likely increase the risk of
heat-related illnesses and deaths.
-Cities and towns along the nation's major rivers will
experience more severe and frequent flooding.
-Some areas will likely experience more extensive and
prolonged droughts.
-Some of our favorite coastal and low-lying vacation areas,
such as parts of the Florida Keys and Cape Cod, will be much less appealing as
sea levels rise, dunes erode, and the areas become more vulnerable to coastal
storms.
-Many families and businesses, who have made their living
from fishing, farming, and tourism could lose their livelihoods, and others who
love hunting, boating, skiing, birdwatching, and just relaxing near lakes,
streams, and wetlands will see some of their favorite places irretrievably
changed.
The solutions to climate change are here and it's time we
put them to use. If we get started today we can tackle this problem and
decrease the unpleasant outcomes that await us if we do nothing. The steps we
need to take are common sense. And, more often than not, they will save
consumers money. The cost of inaction, however, is unacceptably high.
The scientific consensus is in. Our planet is warming, and
we are helping make it happen by adding more heat-trapping gases, primarily
carbon dioxide (CO2), to the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuel (oil, coal,
and natural gas) alone accounts for about 75 percent of annual CO2 emissions
from human activities. Deforestation—the cutting and burning of forests that
trap and store carbon—accounts for about another 20 percent.
Procrastination is not an option. Scientists agree that if
we wait 10, 20, or 50 years, the problem will be much more difficult to address
and the consequences for us will be that much more serious.
We're treating our atmosphere like we once did our rivers.
We used to dump waste thoughtlessly into our waterways, believing that they
were infinite in their capacity to hold rubbish. But when entire fisheries were
poisoned and rivers began to catch fire, we realized what a horrible mistake
that was.
Our atmosphere has limits too. CO2 remains in the atmosphere
for about 100 years. The longer we keep polluting, the longer it will take to
recover and the more irreversible damage will be done.
Fuel-efficient vehicles. Renewable energy. Protecting
threatened forests. These common sense solutions won't only reduce global
warming, many will save us money and create new business opportunities.
Best of all, these solutions exist now. We just need to
insist that business and government take the necessary steps to make them
available and affordable. Then we have to let consumers know what to do and
provide incentives to help all of us make better choices.
The following five sensible steps are available today and
can have an enormous impact on the problem CO2 remains in the atmosphere for
about 100 years.
