Overview Of The United Nations' Continued Role

Overviewthe United Nations Has Continued To Retain You As a Consultant

Overview The United Nations has continued to retain you as a consultant for a project that deals with climate and the environment. Most developed countries see the dangers of releasing too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and are committed to climate policies that attain a carbon-free future in the next 30 years. They already see the damaging effects that this gas alone is having on the living conditions of crops, wildlife, and humans. As a result, many member states are dissatisfied with the progress of the eight Millennium Development Goals for international development that they established in 2000. The member states see a substantial disconnect between several issues that developed and developing countries believe are priorities.

For example, Burundi wants one of the goals to focus on food security, while Austria is adamant that a major global issue should be the negotiation of ceasefires in countries in the midst of civil wars. The UN wants you to work from the list below and prioritize two of the global community's threats that it deems the most serious to environmental stability.

Instructions Step 1 Select two threats. Listed below are eight issues that the UN feels pose the most significant threats to global security. Some of these apply to the Earth's 7.7 billion people, while others are limited primarily to developing countries.

Regardless of where these threats are concentrated, your job as a consultant is to identify two of them that you consider the most critical to the globe's population.

Issue Options The use of fossil fuels as an energy source. Globalization. Insufficient educational opportunities in developing countries. A lack of access to technology. Civil war (NOT the U.S. Civil War). The rise in oceans' levels. Covid-19 and the global pandemic. The dangers of poor countries remaining poor.

Step 2 Write a minimum of an 8-page persuasive paper about your two threats. Write an introduction paragraph of at least one-half page in length identifying the two threats you have selected and the purpose of the paper. Then, for the two threats you chose: Identify the factors that make it such a serious risk to the global environment that you would choose to present it to the UN. Analyze the role that humans have played in aggravating this threat to the Earth's environment. Suggest initiatives that the global community can take to mitigate the worst effects of this environmental threat.

Write a conclusion paragraph of at least one-half page in length that summarizes your impressions of these risks for global stability.

Guidelines This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

In order to earn full credit, the answers to each of the three questions must be at least two full pages long, making six to eight pages total. You must use at least seven credible sources (excluding Wikipedia, dictionaries, and encyclopedias) that are appropriate for the subjects under discussion. You must use only double-spacing and not place extra spacing between paragraphs or section headings. As part of your answer to any one of the questions, you must include a graph, table, or chart using quantifiable data that supports your argument. You need only one graph for the entire assignment, and although you may download this item from the Internet, it may be no longer than one page in length. You must comprehensively explain beneath the graph what the data means.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is as follows: Propose suggestions for mitigation initiatives that address the threats to the stability of the global environment.

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Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The pressing environmental threats facing our planet today demand urgent attention and strategic intervention by the international community, particularly through the efforts of the United Nations. This paper focuses on two critical threats: the rise in ocean levels and the use of fossil fuels as an energy source. These issues pose significant risks to global environmental stability, human societies, and economic development. The purpose of this paper is to analyze why these threats are especially severe, how human activities have intensified their impacts, and what initiatives can be implemented worldwide to mitigate their worst effects. By highlighting these threats, the paper aims to underscore the necessity for coordinated global action in preserving the Earth's ecological balance.

The Rise in Ocean Levels

The rising sea levels represent one of the most immediate and visible effects of climate change, driven predominantly by the melting of glaciers and the expansion of seawater as it warms—a consequence of increased global temperatures (IPCC, 2019). This threat endangers coastal communities, freshwater resources, and vital ecosystems such as wetlands and mangroves. Low-lying island nations like the Maldives face existential risks, while densely populated urban coastal regions, including parts of New York and Mumbai, confront the threat of catastrophic flooding. The factors making sea level rise such a serious risk include the displacement of millions of people, loss of arable land, and increased damage from storm surges (Nicholls et al., 2018).

Human activities have significantly contributed to this threat through greenhouse gas emissions—primarily carbon dioxide—resulting from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial activities (NASA, 2021). The increase in atmospheric CO₂ levels enhances the greenhouse effect, trapping more heat and accelerating ice melt. Despite scientific consensus on these causes, global efforts to curb emissions lag behind urgent needs, with many nations prioritizing economic growth over environmental sustainability (UNEP, 2020).

To address sea level rise, comprehensive international initiatives are necessary. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions through transitions to renewable energy, strengthening coastal defenses, and implementing policies for sustainable urban planning. Additionally, investing in climate adaptation measures, such as building sea walls and restoring natural barriers, can significantly lessen the impact on vulnerable communities (European Environment Agency, 2019).

The Use of Fossil Fuels as an Energy Source

The reliance on fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—remains the primary driver of global CO₂ emissions, making it a critical threat to environmental stability. Fossil fuels provide over 80% of the world's energy, fueling industrialized economies but at a significant environmental cost (IEA, 2021). The factors rendering fossil fuel consumption so dangerous include air pollution, health impacts, climate change acceleration, and the depletion of finite resources.

Humans have exacerbated this issue through unchecked exploitation, lack of regulatory enforcement, and continued investment in fossil fuel infrastructure despite known environmental damages. The extraction and burning of fossil fuels release large quantities of greenhouse gases, contributing disproportionately to climate change (Hansen et al., 2019). Furthermore, political and economic interests often hinder the transition to cleaner energy sources, perpetuating dependency on environmentally destructive practices.

Addressing this threat requires global initiatives that promote renewable energy adoption, policy reforms to phase out fossil fuels, and technological innovation in clean energy. International cooperation can facilitate the development of sustainable energy markets, subsidy shifts away from fossil fuels, and financing mechanisms for renewable projects (IRENA, 2020). Public awareness campaigns and educational programs are also essential to foster societal shifts toward sustainable energy consumption.

Conclusion

The threats posed by rising ocean levels and widespread reliance on fossil fuels are among the most pressing risks to global environmental stability today. Both issues are deeply intertwined, stemming from human activities that accelerate climate change and threaten the Earth's ecological equilibrium. The consequences of inaction could be catastrophic, including widespread displacement, loss of biodiversity, and destabilization of societies. Recognizing the gravity of these threats calls for a concerted global effort involving policy reforms, technological advancement, and public participation. The international community, under the auspices of the United Nations, must prioritize these issues and implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to safeguard future generations. Only through proactive, collaborative measures can these environmental crises be effectively addressed, ensuring a sustainable and resilient planet.

References

• European Environment Agency. (2019). Climate change adaptation in Europe: Developing an integrated approach. EEA Report No 9/2019.
• Hansen, J., Sato, M., & Kharecha, P. (2019). Risks of human-made climate change. Scientific American, 293(4), 48-55.
• IEEE. (2021). Global energy review 2021. International Energy Agency.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2019). Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2020). Global Renewables Outlook: Energy transformation pathways. IRENA.
• NASA. (2021). Climate change: How do we know? NASA's Climate Change and Global Warming. https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
• Nicholls, R.J., et al. (2018). Coastal systems and low-lying areas. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. IPCC.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). Emissions Gap Report 2020. UNEP.