Redstate

By Westendorf Posted in Energy — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

The gradual rise in average temperatures on Earth has for many years caused alarm by scientists, politicians, and members of the general public. There is no doubt that the effects of global warming could have a drastic impact on our land and our way of life, not only in the United States, but also throughout the world.

In presenting the problem of global warming, I will aim to display what has occurred since the period in which temperatures began to climb, as well as describe what may occur as a result of global warming on a worst-case scenario. After identifying the problem and the effects of the danger, I will present various solutions in order to halt, reverse, or adapt to the change in climate, and through careful analysis, I will choose a single solution and support it with evidence and research.

Politically speaking, global warming is a controversial issue. There is a great divide between the left and right of the political spectrum on what policies to enact regarding climate change, however the more time we spend arguing about the problem, the less time we have to address it. The potential damages that extreme climate change may cause are severe; however we are already experiencing the results of global warming. 2006 was the hottest year on record in the continental United States and our nation is the top global warming polluter in the world.

A large part of the issue regarding climate change is the potential future effects global warming might cause in a worst-case scenario of events. These effects include water shortages, hunger, disease, and drastic flooding in Asia by 2050. This has the potential to severely impact more than one billion people due to the growth of population and rising demands from higher standards of living. In addition, computer models have predicted that with drastic climate change, global temperature may rise as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius along with the ocean levels rising at least one meter in the next one hundred years.

There is little doubt that climate change has the ability to severely affect humanity and that global warming is indeed a problem. It is how we react to the problems that climate change presents that will determine what will happen in future years. The world’s agriculture and economy depend on choosing the right solution through careful and thoughtful debate. Presented herein are three proposed solutions to climate change and global warming, beginning with mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions.

By far, the most commonly known ‘solution’ to climate change has been the idea of mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions. The most famous case for this solution is included in the Kyoto Protocol, which strongly encouraged reduction in emissions. The Kyoto Protocol resulted from a meeting of over 160 nations that met in Kyoto, Japan in 1997. At the meeting, developing nations agreed to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The theory is quite simple: fewer emissions equal less pollution, and less pollution equals an impact in the fight against global warming. This logic is flawed however, and mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions, while a noble and valiant effort, do little to address the larger problem of global warming. Mandating emission reduction incorrectly reduces the cause of global warming to greenhouse gases, however greenhouse gases are not the sole cause of global warming. Climate change is only one part of global warming, and in turn, greenhouse gases are only one part of climate change. Furthermore, it remains highly unlikely that emission reductions will reach the point that some extreme members of the scientific community believe necessary to drastically avoid the dangers of climate change. For these reasons, mandatory greenhouse gas emission reductions are not a viable solution to the problems of global warming.

The second proposed solution to global warming is an increase in use of alternative fuels. With less vehicles relying on gasoline for fuel, the burning of ‘cleaner’ fuels in order to decrease greenhouse gases, has become a very popular idea. Alternative fuels include ethanol, propane, hydrogen, electricity, and biodiesel fuels. The desire to mandate alternative fuels is a good start, however this solution runs into the same problems as mandatory greenhouse gas emission restrictions, and ultimately does not solve all of the problems that climate change presents. It is looking at both of these solutions where something becomes clear. Perhaps global warming and climate change is not a problem that has a solution, but rather a problem that requires adaptation.

The concept of adaptation involves two fundamental principles concerning global warming. First and foremost is the notion that climate change is natural. The second principle of adaptation is that climate change is not reversible. These key principles make adaptation the clear choice as the best option to pursue in regards to global warming.

A group of scientists studying global warming cited natural shifts in the sun’s heat and a slowdown of rising temperatures in the past ten years as evidence of climate change occurring naturally. Those same scientists also point out that temperatures decreased worldwide after 1945, even with increasing carbon dioxide levels. In addition, increasing temperatures in the last half of the twentieth century have plateaued in the past decade. This evidence leads to the conclusion that climate change is a part of a natural shift. In fact, the word ‘climate’ means ‘change’, so the term ‘climate change’ is actually redundant. However, the most conclusive evidence that global warming is not man made is the evidence that global warming exists on Mars. Scientists at NASA monitoring radiation reflected off of the surface of Mars have found variations that indicate climate change. According to Lori Fenton of the Carl Sagan Center, the variations in radiation produce an increase in dust transport and the circulation of wind. This is causing temperatures on mars to increase 0.65 degrees Celsius each year. Now that I have presented evidence that climate change is natural, it is also necessary to include the other aspect in my argument regarding adaptation, and that is that global warming is irreversible.

Impacts on climate go beyond global warming, especially in the forms of natural disasters. Even if humans were to be able to control climate, and stabilize it to their liking, it is precisely these events that would cease to prevent impacts on both the climate and the earth. Human society and the environment are currently vulnerable to present climate conditions; therefore a successful attempt at stabilizing the world’s climate would not prevent impacts. These are the reasons that adaptation presents a clear path towards dealing with global warming and climate change. The effects of global warming are evident, however climate change is not man made, in addition, the changes in global temperatures are irreversible. The more humans adapt, the better off society will be when it comes to global warming.

Michael Westendorf is a political columnist based out of Midland, Michigan, and a businessman and investor with a distinguished career in public service and community leadership.

Westendorf is currently pursuing a degree in political science and history from Saginaw Valley State University.

http://www.MichaelWestendorf.com/