Global warming and our consciousness

Today, human beings are facing with global warming issue. That is, many reports were claimed and strictly alarmed about global climate change and its negative consequences (typhoon, sea level raising, drought, etc). We, human beings, have been strongly intervening in natural world. The marked increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) since 1750 is the result of human activities; IPCC say “The global atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased from a pre-industrial value of about 280 ppm to 379 ppm3 in 2005” (IPCC 2007; Climate change report). The average increase of carbon dioxide is 26.4 gigatons in 2005 compared with 23.5 gigatons in 1990s. The world’s average surface temperature has increased by around 0.74°C over the past 100 years (1906-2005). Temperature will increase about 0.1oC of the next decade, it is accompanied with sea-level rise due to ocean expansion and glacier melts by the end of the century. Sea level will be 1 m in length by 2100 if global temperature will be continuously increased; Snow cover has decreased in many regions. Hurricanes are happening stronger and more frequently as well. Nations, environmentalists as well as environmental considered people have been contributing their efforts in order to reduce GHG (Green House Gases), for instance, Kyoto Protocol and the other positive activities in term of global warming resistance.
However, some nations have not ratified Kyoto Protocol yet. Four nations are yet to sign the Kyoto Protocol limiting carbon dioxide emissions: the US, Australia, Monaco and Liechtenstein (Tim Fannery, 2005; The Weather Makers). Paradoxically, The US is the largest emission maker in the world.
Why do these nations do not want to ratify Kyoto Protocol, even though nowadays we have all the technology to achieve a carbon-free economy and the others accepted it?
In my understanding, I think there is a lack of understanding and the pessimism and confusion generated by interest groups that is stopping us from going forward. And the awareness of people among communities about climate change is not strong enough to push high pressure to the political system on the right way. Furthermore, I think there are some differences in philosophy between The US as well as Australia and the Europe (Tim Fannery, 2005 The Weather Makers).
The US and Australian governments say they refuse to ratify Kyoto because of prohibitive cost. A strong economy, they believe, offers the best insurance against all future shocks, and both are hesitant to do anything that may slow economic growth. In The US and Australia, the citizens of both nations hold a deep belief about the benefits of endless growth and expansion. Both have large immigration programs and thus high population growth rates and this leads to enormous difficulties in adhering to the emission reductions required under Kyoto Protocol.
The second, people whose reluctance to tackle climate change think that Global warming creates an illusion of a comfortable. Moreover, cold has long been our greatest enemy from the beginning of humanity. In human being’s thinking, warmth is the essence of everything good - love, comfort and life itself. Our deep psychological is that warm might be good that brings about us to be deceived about the nature of climate change. Additionally, some interest groups who have exploited human blind spot to put many people into confusing consciousness.
In The US, with the election of Bush, the fossil fuel lobby became even more powerful, and it has been able to corrupt processes within the US bureaucracy and the soliciting of scientific advice. Basically, The President of The US, Gorge Bush, is descended from oil industrial company in Texas before elected in 2000. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/profile/george_w_bush.shtml).
Can his career affect his decision making in term of cutting down energy consumption and economic? If we were him, how do we think?
Australia is the world's largest exporter of coal .Humorously, Dr Robin Batterham who was a chief technologist of Rio Tinto which is the world’s largest mining company was appointed as a chief scientist of Australia government, and in this capacity advised on issues such as climate change.
Finally, the effect of energy corporations on political system is considerable as well as public’s awareness that “Global warming” is “business as usual”.
Fortunately, global warming is being seemly considered as a threat for human being at the moment and the future as well. “George Bush has recently recognized - at the G8 Gleneagles meeting - that climate change is caused by humans and is a problem which needs to be addressed. And in admitting that it is a problem, he is admitting to the existence of a very large problem indeed” (Tim Fannery, 2005 The Weather makers).
PS: Based on my understanding about this topic, I would like to receive your advices.
Posted by Mr. Kien-FERS, Mahidol University.