When reading these articles, it is frustrating to learn that technically there is still a way to save our planet but it is near impossible. In order to decrease our ever-warming planet we must all work together to make drastic changes in the way we produce energy, moving away from coal. Unfortunately, our world and specifically our country is largely opposed to believing proven science that would possibly have the ability to save millions of lives within the near future. There are techno-fixes that work to take CO2 out of the air in attempts to lessen our negative environmental impacts. It seems as though this is just a fix that is delaying the necessity of truly changing the way our world works. The IPCC states that there is a socio-techno fix that could work, but only if every nation commits to this. “But while they conclude that it is technically possible to achieve the rapid changes required to avoid 2.7 degrees of warming, they concede that it may be politically unlikely” (NYT 1). Within the timeframe we have, yes it is possible. Is is plausible? It is hard to stay hopeful in our current political climate, but if one day we get everyone realize our world is going to be drastically changed in the near future, we could possibly do something about it.
The idea that climate science is too young to be reliable is very clearly and easily proven wrong when reading Reidy’s account of Tyndall. Tyndall stated the concept of the greenhouse gas effect in his Royal Society of London paper in 1861. Seeing as this was concept already accepted by a very successful scientist almost 160 years ago proves that this is not a new concern, nor is it contrived out of a new liberal agenda. It is based in science.
You make a great point about how unlikely it is for governments across the world to unite and combat climate change, especially in today’s political climate. It is really sad to think about the fact that the climate is going to be irreversibly damaged and most governments and people are more concerned with making money and “living”. You also make the comment about how long ago it was when scientists were already talking about greenhouse gases which is interesting considering the constant narrative of climate research being in its “infancy”.
I think you have a great point. We need to get people to believe in climate change. I think it is hard because much of the older generation does not. I know plenty of people that say, “Oh this darn global warming” every time it snows. I think it is very hard to get every country on board with making a change. I was also upset when I saw that the US dropped out of the Paris Accord. I would like to know how much cheaper/more expensive these changes would be for the people of the US to heat their homes. Specifically, those that are not privileged, and if that would play into the reason the US dropped out. Honestly, I don’t know though.
I think you’re right when you say that while it is possible to help the planet with the techno fixes we have already created, it isn’t plausible. Many countries think that these techno-fixes are too expensive to even begin to consider, but I think they don’t even begin to think about the costs of the damages that will be created if we continue on the path that we’re on now. It’s unfortunate that the damages we’ve already created can’t really be taken back now, but I think that we should start making changes to prevent more damage from happening. I also agree that climate change isn’t too young to be considered because of Tyndall’s research almost 160 years ago now. It’s nothing that the media is creating to make things seem worse than they are – it’s an actual problem that people are refusing to see because it makes things more difficult.
While the current political climate causes plenty of issues for the climate, I believe that that state is not entirely permanent, and may change rapidly in the right circumstances. For that reason, I am somewhat hopeful that the situation will improve before it gets worse. That being said, damage will indeed be done, and has already been done, due to our delayed reaction to the facts presented to us. The most important thing I think we will need to hasten these changes is education. It seems to me that the people who argue against measures for climate change are either ignorant of the consequences, or seek to mislead those who are ignorant of the facts. If everyone in the world were to know the facts and the truth, perhaps politics wouldn’t be as much of a barrier due to pressure from the people.