Green Economics

...

5. Explain what is meant by global climate change. What are its likely causes? What might be its likely economic consequences?

Global Climate Change is a rapid rate and pattern of warming that cannot be explained by natural cycles alone. Scientist believe that this pattern is the effect of greenhouse gases emitted by humans.

Gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Some gases remain semi-permanently in the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are described as "forcing" climate change. Most gases come from the combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production. The gas responsible for the most warming is carbon dioxide. Other contributors include methane released from landfills and agriculture nitrous oxide from fertilizers, gases used for refrigeration and industrial processes, and the loss of forests that would otherwise store CO2.

As the composition of the atmosphere begins the change so does the self-regulation of the earths ecosystem. A change of about 1 degree Centigrade can seem inconsequential. Yet an example would be if the concentration of CO2 within the ocean lowers the pH creating a more acidic environment. This slight change can cause a mass extinction of 70%-90% of ocean creatures.[3]

Weather patterns also begin to change. Areas will suffer longer and more severe droughts while other will be prone to record setting flooding. This is a major threat to agriculture. Where, how and when we grow food is vitally connected to our climate's normal patterns. Shifting weather patterns and unpredictable water supplies make it difficult for farmer to plant and plan accordingly.

Also, a warmer atmosphere causes the planet's snowpack, glaciers and sea and freshwater ice to melt more rapidly. Melting glaciers and polar ice sheets contribute to unprecedented sea level rise. Areas such as Miami, New Orleans and even New York can possibly be covered up 1 meter of water by the year 2100 if the current melting rate continues.

6. What type of ‘environmental pollution’ is on the rise in this century? What are some of the factors or activities that cause this problem?

Environmental pollution causes harmful change to the natural environment. The most common and best known cause is due to the use of fossil fuels. Coal, oil and natural gas all have an adverse effect to the atmosphere and can even cause soil and water pollution. Another example is the inability of the environment to breakdown or eliminate the chemically man made materials. An example can be seen in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A large accumulation of non-biodegradable plastics has accumulated within the ocean gyre. Most of this debris comes from plastic bags, bottle caps, plastic water bottles, and Styrofoam cups. Approximately 80% of the plastic originates from land; floating in rivers to the ocean or blew by the wind into the ocean.[4]

7. According to Professor Gilbert, why are humans reluctant to take global warming seriously?

Psychology professor Daniel Gilbert argues that humans are programed to adapt and respond to intentional, immoral, imminent and instantaneous problems, but are not so good at more distant dangers, such as global warming.

He points out that out we worry more about the underwear bomber than we do about influenza. The death toll of the underwear bomber is 0 while 40,000 people die in the U.S. alone a year from influenza. Influenza is a “natural accident” while the underwear bomber is an “intentional action.” Global warming isn’t trying to kill us if so it would be our top priority.[5]

The second reason is that global warming does not violate our moral standards. If global warming was cause by eating dogs, we would find it indecent and call for immediate change. Al societies have rules and moral code concerning food and sex but global warming does not make us feel disgusted and angry.

Global warming is a perfect threat because it is something long-term. It's not something that threatens us now or this evening, but something that threatens us over years and decades. Professor Gilbert uses the example of how human beings are very good at getting out of the way of a speeding baseball. We're very good at seeing clear and present danger yet he claims that we have learned a new trick and we can treat the future as if it were the present. We can take action today to save for retirement or to floss so that we don't get bad news in the future. But we're just learning this trick. It is a very new adaptation in the animal kingdom and we don't do it all that well. We don't respond to long-term threats with nearly as much vigor as we do to clear and present dangers.

The final reason he sets forth is that our brains are sensitive to sudden changes in light, sound, temperature, size and weight. If the change is slow enough it goes undetected. Because we barely notice changes that happen gradually, we accept gradual changes that we would reject if they happened abruptly.

---------------------------------------------------------------