Latest comments posted about Students put global warming in the spotlight on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1695-Students-put-global-warming-in-the-spotlight http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1695-Students-put-global-warming-in-the-spotlight When I was 8 I played the part of King Canute in a classroom play. Sitting on a chair on top of the teacher’s desk I majestically rose and commanded the tide to turn back, and sat back down again as it rose ever higher around me. What is interesting is that for many years after this event I believed that the King really thought he could turn back the tide, and that his courtiers laughed at his arrogant stupidity. The truth of course is that the many sycophants who filled Canute’s court were constantly trying to outdo each other in their estimation of the King’s powers, until they arrived at the ultimate impossibility of performance – to take on the power of nature and turn back the tides of the sea! The King was wise enough to see through this misplaced belief in his “greatness”, and so went through with the charade to make the point to his courtiers - though the deeds of kings might appear 'great' in the minds of men, they were as nothing in the face of the power of nature. As globalisation evolves in this 21st century, we are seeing corporations grow at a rate and size only dreamed about just 20 years ago. Technological development and greater sophistication in production lines has fuelled the demand for economic growth and the resultant, and seemingly continuous rise in corporate profits. What remains unchanged however is our own lack of development as a species in trying to stay apace with, and manage, this growth. We are managing new technologies with traditional beliefs which see us plundering this planet in ever more sophisticated and super efficient ways that we seem incapable of slowing. Neither do we seem capable, at the very least, in abating our lemming like rush to hell in a handcart for just a short while, whilst we reflect upon our actions and their possible consequences. Tsunamis, flooding, rising temperatures and all of the other natural elements that are now growing in intensity are lost on us. Like a car accident or burning home, “it is happening to someone else and could never happen to us”! Similar to the Kings courtiers, we have elevated our belief in our capabilities to a point where we are convinced financial management will resolve and manage everything, blinding ourselves to the reality of who and what we are and our place in the grand scheme of things. Never before in our history have we needed leadership with the “Canute Factor” that can wisely and carefully get us to question our current thinking and consider the need to elevate our own personal development by once again learning to respect that which is mightier than the bottom line! (Authors Note: I have always believed that throughout history it is our business activity has been one of the primary means by which we have explored, investigated and developed as a species. Indeed it will take us into space, as the “next frontier”. However it seems as though we are operating a level of global intensity we seem incapable of regulating for our collective benefit at the present time. It is this inability to call a momentary halt and take stock of where we are headed that gives me serious cause for concern.) Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:14:15 -0500 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7039 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7039 'focus on country'day has universal meaning. I believe Chinese education has great potential in this aspect. China's participation in global climate issues has significant effects and China will play a much more important role in future. Shaohua Bao, Hangzhou Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:09:34 -0500 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7038 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7038 This is an excellent Idea (and an excellent website!). More of an effort should be made to bring this issue, which is so important for the next generation, to the classroom.When will we see something like this in the UK? Mr. Hargreaves, Plymouth Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:13:14 -0500 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7030 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7030 Climate change is not a political issue, but how to solve the problem is a political one as suggested in the article. I am very pleased and encouraged to see the growing attention given by the young people in the States to this issue. Hopefully, their understanding, consciousness and actions will help call on the US administration to take measures to deal with the crisis soon. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:12:13 -0500 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7029 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1695#comment-7029