Climate change and its implications will be a very problematic, global issue if not addressed. The IPCC suggests in “Headline Statements” that major changes need to start well before 2030 to limit the intensity of the issues that will be faced and the irrevocable damage (IPCC, 3). To start solving this problem our societies may need to start moving away from coal and begin to produce other forms of energy. The IPPC explains that one of the technical fixes that could be implicated is moving the amount of solar and wind energy from 20% to 67% (Davenport, 2). Additionally, to work with the excess carbon dioxide in the air, it may be necessary to create a device that could catch carbon dioxide. Katie Warrick of The World Coal Association says that her company is working on carbon capture tech. (Davenport, 2). The IPCC suggests taxing companies for their coal emissions and to use less or no coal at all (Davenport, 2-3). Moreover, the IPCC explains in their press release that it is critical that all countries get involved and start making differences (IPCC, 1). The IPCC does believe differences can be made. There just needs to be rapid and extreme changes in countries’ industry and how we approach climate change.
Climate contrarians are wrong to say that climate science is in its infancy. This understanding has been a part of science since before 1893. John Tyndall, in his studies with radiant heat, found that carbon dioxide and water vapor are good absorbers of heat. According to Michael Reidy, Tyndall knew immediately that this was affecting climate and that it explained the changes in climate seen by geologists (Reidy, 1-2). This science is not new. There were scientists already noting changes in heat on the planet. It just took Tyndall to find out why. The concerns regarding climate change are not unfounded. The science has been understood for over a century. It has just been a matter of trying to make a difference in what we are seeing.
Hey Amanda, I totally agree with you that there is a large amount of based science in the realm of climate change, and that a major factor in inciting change will be convincing the public. Do you think, however, that the IPCC put this report out too late, and the deadlines they have given humanity are far too close in order to make the necessary changes to keep the temperatures from rising dangerously high? Furthermore, is it feasible that we could increases wind power to 67% without serious societal ramifications such as tax increases to pay for the turbines, workers, and the potential inefficiency of wind power compared to coal? Even if there is a global movement to halt the heating of the earth, it seems unlikely that the technology would be capable to pick up for what society has been using as an energy source for hundreds of years, as well as to make up for the damage done, but it make be possible to slow the advance of global temperatures.