Climate change is something that will be affecting our future and that of our posterity.
"Economists have differing views of how to best deal with the problem of climate change, despite widespread scientific consensus on the reality of the trend. Though disagreements persist on whether to stop climate change, adapt to the climate or not focus on the climate at all, adaptation might become the only option if no other action is taken."
Here is a link to the article that I wrote about it:
http://www.uafsunstar.com/an-economic-analysis-of-climate-change/
Here are other sources which were linked in the article:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99888903
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2016/09/19/when-it-comes-to-climate-change-lets-get-our-priorities-straight/?utm_term=.706071f82264
Some questions to consider:
1. How many resources should we be using to address climate change?
2. What about leaving Earth? Is that possible/ethical?
3. Will humans be able to devise a solution to this problem?
4. Is it possible for society to exist without creating a greenhouse gas problem in the process?
5. What are effective ways to deal with climate change?
Hey Josh!
ReplyDeleteI think we should be using as many resources as economically sound to address climate change. Associating money with such issues, such as the carbon emission tax as mentioned in the article, is a good way to cause create awareness. I don't think we should ignore climate change, however, it shouldn't be the only focus.
Leaving Earth is possible in small groups, but it may take awhile before we are the the point of mass migration. Not to mention the current political views of immigration within our own planet! I think it is unethical in a deontological sense if we are leaving because Earth is something we broke but couldn't fix. I could see, however, that it would be ethical under utilitarian standpoints, as everyone is better off in the end (assuming we could find a planet that allows for life to flourish somewhere else in the solar system). In the meantime, I think we should work on our own problems here on Earth. In any case, the race to space may lead to some kind of war.
I believe in humans. I believe in our ability to find solutions to problems. However, with this problem, there definitely needs to be more unity/critical thinking.
I don't think it is possible for society to exist without creating a greenhouse gas problem in the process, however, I do think there are ways to make this effect minimal and less harmful to future generations.
I think taxation is an effective way to make people aware of their actions, as I mentioned earlier. I think that other kinds of polluters should also pay. Building should be made more energy efficient (if the cost analysis is sound). And people should get informed of the impact of their actions. I don't have answers, but I have ideas. And that is where change starts.
Can't wait to hear from you guys this evening! Hope you all had a great winter break!
1. It is nearly impossible at this point to go down to net-negative global emissions, nevermind pushing down global average temperature projections. Even with reducing emissions massively by switching to a hydrogen economy and removing carbon dioxide from the atmospheres by strategies like deep ocean sequestration and aforestation, even charitable projections place 1-2.3 degrees Celsius over global average temperature relative to 1850-1900.
ReplyDeleteRealizing we can't stop a temperature spike, but only can help reduce it, we can better spend what resources we have to deal with our future. I think making sensible changes like natural gas turbines for electricity generation and investing in technologies that drive down emissions will help.
2. Leaving Earth is not possible in the near term, and it isn't exactly ethical, either, if the reason we are leaving is that we've ruined this planet. Bottom line is that everyone wouldn't be leaving, and it is not at all fair for those who aren't to have to deal with centuries of pollution and irresponsible practices by individuals and businesses.
3. I think humans will find ways to deal with this. That said, I think the ship has sailed. The crux of the problem is increased demands on earth due to human population, and I don't see population going down anytime soon. We need to invent and innovate our way out of this, and even with that, it will only ameliorate things.
4. No. I don't think it is possible for our growing population numbers to not create a greenhouse problem, no matter how disciplined we are with our emissions.
5. Effective ways of dealing with climate change are to start looking at the future effects of climate change. Coastal lowlands are going to be bad places to build. Preparing for more inclement weather would be a good plan. Large-scale aforestation programs would be wise. Finding other ways to economically decrease emissions and sequester greenhouse gases should be a priority. All of these things were issues we should have given serious consideration to years ago, but here we are.