Effects Of Global Warming, Disability And The Middle-East Wars ? What You Can Do.

Various reports tell us that war is one of the effects of global warming. Wars over energy and water are more likely as those two resources dwindle.

Global warming is connected to profligate use of fossil fuel energy and both will increase into the near future in their co-dependency ? their unhealthy relationship. Global warming and worsening quantity and quality of water resources are also interrelated.

War in the Middle East also has a connection to global warming. The war in Iraq is in essence an energy war ? the prize being access to oil. Although, this issue has of course become increasingly conflated with that of the so-called War on Terror.

It seems possible that ongoing violence exchanged between Israel, Hezbollah, Hamas, the ?Western Coalition? and insurgents will escalate into much wider conflicts, perhaps even involving use of nuclear weapons.

We should be worried, as an escalating Middle-East war, even where not (yet) fought over energy or water, may give us an even shorter time than we have already to marshal resources to deal with the great threat of global warming. Author Jared Diamond for example, has shown that war and environmental destruction were potent ingredients in the sudden collapse of many civilisations over thousands of years.

This time a global civilisation is at stake with nowhere else to go.

The consequences of present scenarios are of course unthinkable. Not just in terms of cost of human life, but also of cost to the environment and the even greater oil shortages than today?s that would inevitably follow. If you think the price of oil is sky-rocketing now, it would go galactic then. Economies may collapse.

Resources available now to invest in renewable energy may then quickly evaporate.

What can anyone do?

I admit that I do not quite grasp the motivations for fundamentalist terrorist acts, apart from my assumption that part of it resides in past historical oppression, contrasts between rich Western countries and poor ones and the new colonialism of Globalisation. Any fundamentalist ideology thrives under stark divisions between rich and poor, be it Nazism, fascism or white suprematism. Extreme capitalist exploitation of the environment feeds another side of human nature, that of a lazy distancing from the genuine needs of others and that of the environment ?another kind of terrorism. Our attitudes shape our world.

The answers to root causes of war mirror those to global warming. In essence it is not a technological one but one of a way of thinking. Inequality in a fictional world of unlimited resources for some should be met with equity and with those same strategies that we know that work in alleviating poverty, overpopulation, deforestation and disease. Most are of course connected to cause and effects of global warming ? and war.

These strategies include generous donations of education, infrastructure and appropriate technology to poor nations racked by war and environmental stresses. And let?s not omit seed funds for small business, preferably of sorts that minimise greenhouse gas emissions, or actively reduce them. Efforts to understand each other?s culture must accompany such strategies in order to undercut the potential for one-way paternalism in such giving.

A new ?Marshall Plan?

The Marshall Plan after WWII made thriving, friendly nations out of war-ravaged countries, including former enemies, at a cost of US$130 billion in today?s terms. There?s almost no reason to think why similar investment in policy of giving people what they want most ? a peaceful life with a sustainable future for their children ? would not equally well work now. Well, except just two reasons? the frightening fact that the Marshall Plan was only implemented after a terrible war had been fought. And secondly, the less-than committed intergovernmental approach to a strong Kyoto Treaty, which does include an environmental ?Marshall Plan? of sorts for poor nations.

Still? why not try hard, with such high stakes? The powerful principle of mutually beneficial relationship is the same. It?s time for broad, visionary policy.

Is a new ?Marshall Plan?, affordable? I think so given that one country alone, the US, has been able to shoulder costs of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to an astonishing amount of US$487 billion, with more to come. A diversion of even a small proportion of nations? budgets could be significant.

A Utopian idea? Well, just ask the Germans and Japanese.

And there is other evidence that reaching out to others works in allowing people to thrive under highly challenging circumstances. There is a strong body of evidence for the key that turns on good life satisfaction. Many people with severe disability, including respirator-assisted quadriplegics on respirator and elderly people experience a life satisfaction equal to, or higher than the average person?s life satisfaction rating. How? As a core disability issue is attitudes from others, it is positive, supportive relationships that are the key.

If ?disabled people? can do that, anyone can. Our attitudes towards others and the environment make our world indeed.

The effects of global warming are accelerated and heightened by war. Before any social and environmental ?tipping points? are reached why not reverse this self-feeding loop through practical recognition that another?s wellbeing means ours. And that a healthy environment allows us to flourish.

Maybe governments are not ready to marshal resources to adopt "good relationship policy." So your reaching out to others, while ?reducing, re-using and recycling? may be your most accessible alternatives to war ? and the Kyoto Treaty? at any time.

Dr Erik Leipoldt has long been concerned about the effects of global warming. He uses his experience of severe disability in practical approaches towards alternate energy sources to survive and thrive with climate change.

Monaco - Luxury Yacht Show Fights Global Warming

The world's leading luxury yacht show in Monaco is to pay for 55 wind turbines in New Zealand - enough to generate power for 45,000 homes - making the event 'carbon neutral'.

Under the watchful eye of Prince Albert, the yacht show is part of Monaco's new stance on global warming, and comes shortly after Prince Albert himself travelled to the North Pole in April to highlight the damage he believes global warming is having on the environment.

'Since Prince Albert came to the throne last year' comments Henri Boulanger of Monte Carlo travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'Monaco has changed her policy from one of the few countries not to sign the Kyoto Protocol to not only signing it but taking a lead in the battle against global warming. Prince Albert has personally taken steps to show how concerned he is, and by setting the example of going to the North Pole has shown the leadership necessary to encourage Monaco companies to become environmentally friendly, and the Monaco Yacht Show is an example of this'.

The Monaco Yacht Show has bult a reputation over the years as the place for the wealthy to view potential purchases, and this year there will be nearly a hundred yachts on display to those able to afford it.

In total 22,000 visitors are expected to attend with over 500 exhibitors from the yachting world exhibiting.

The mix of wealth and Monte Carlo also means that real estate agents in Monaco will be on full alert. In previous years the Monaco Yacht Show has often proved more beneficial for the realtors than the Monaco Grand Prix .

The Monaco Grand Prix attracts tens of thousands of Formula 1 fans annually to the principality at the end of May, but with some Monte Carlo streets closed, showing property in Monaco can be more problematic than during the Yacht Show.

Monte Carlo real estate specialists Tribune Properties say that the more relaxed atmosphere of the Yacht Show allows potential property buyers to view properties.

'If someone is visiting Monaco for the Yacht Show and has several million Euros available, it's a pretty safe assumption that those buyers will have a few million for a property too, and a luxury yacht and Monaco Real Estate appeal to the same type of buyer', claims Roger Munns, Tribune's Managing Director.

Typical of Monaco Real Estate prices is a two bedroom two bathroom apartment in Seaside Plaza, close to where the Yacht Show is located, at 3,700,000 Euros.


Monaco Hotels

The emergence of the Yacht Show has helped the Monaco economy by drawing the world's wealthy to the principality for four days in September.

Until recently the Monaco Grand Prix in May and the Monte Carlo Masters tennis the month before have been the two main events of the year which boost the occupancy levels of the hotels in Monaco .

With the Yacht Show in September filling the hotels at premium rates, it has proved to be a welcome addition to the calendar of events for both residents and businesses alike, and the Hotel de Paris Monte Carlo will be the scene of many deals being signed over the four days.

This year also saw the first Monaco Flower Show, which it is hoped will also be a tourist magnet in future years.

'In the past Monaco has had the highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix and the tennis, with consistent numbers of visitors the rest of the year,' state http://www.yourmonaco.com, 'but Monaco is becoming much more diverse in what it offers throughout the calendar year. The Yacht Show has been a success, and given a little time the Monaco Flower Show will appeal to a different type of tourist, and might be as popular as the Hampton Court and Chelsea Flower Shows are in the UK. Diversity is the key to sustained tourism, and Monaco is doing it very well.

Despite being the second smallest country in the world, Monaco has attracted many of the world's top business and entertainment people to live there due to her income tax free status, and with Prince Albert at the helm it seems that the principality is beginning to punch above her weight in world politics as he takes the lead on environmental issues', conclude YourMonaco.