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Mitigation

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Climate change is upon us, with evidence readily to be seen all over the planet. In the last decade several of the 'warmest ever' summers have occurred. Arctic ice is thinning, Antarctic ice is disintegrating in places as well as thinning and glaciers are in retreat. Many animal and plant species are already showing changes to their ranges in response to this warming trend. Meanwhile, politicians dither, ordinary people become more bemused and the time to effect action to lessen the consequences grows worryingly short.

No one has actually proved human CO2 emissions are the principal cause of climate change. Scientists know that the Earth's orbit around the Sun has periodic variations which can affect the planet's climate. The energy output of the Sun can fluctuate somewhat, too. The present warming trend may not be due to human-generated CO2 emissions. There does seem to be statistical evidence that the changes to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere follow the rise in temperatures around the globe, rather than precede (and therefore cause) them. This could be due to the release of CO2 from the oceans. CO2 is water soluble and the greatest amount on Earth is not in the atmosphere but in the seas. Warm water can hold less than cold water, so a warming planet with warming seas would naturally lead to CO2 being given off into the atmosphere. But it is unquestionably true that Human activity in industrialized and industrializing nations is throwing out vast amounts of CO2 as well. This will exacerbate any natural warming.

Mitigation of CO2 emissions is only sensible, in the circumstances. The profligate waste of energy and the pollution stemming from its production are both overdue for remedy even if climate change were not an issue. Enough is known about new technologies already for this to be begun. Indeed many States, such as California, impatient at Federal foot-dragging, have already set ambitious targets and implemented the policies which should make them achievable. The same is true of some nations, such as the UK. Most hearteningly, many individuals have made changes to their own life-styles to minimize their contributions to the problem. They realize that 'adaptation' is by far the worse choice.

Left unchecked, climate change may accelerate out of control leaving our planet dangerously hot. Melting Tundra could release vast amounts of methane, another potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Quite HOW people will adapt to the sea level rising by 30 meters and flooding major urban centers is hard to see. Nor can the impact of the desertification of the corn and wheat belts be viewed without concern. World wide, famine, water shortage and flooding will cause mass population movements which will be impossible to 'adapt' to. Plant, bird and animal species will face extinction on a scale not seen since the last big meteor strike. Even if we could 'adapt' to that, it is morally unjustifiable. Human greed and stupidity is certainly part of the problem. Human ingenuity can help overcome it, and a rethink about some of our current obsessions will help. We don't own the planet; we hold it in trust for future generations. The least we can do is respect our world and make sure we do not hurt it by adding to any natural warming trend.

Learn more about this author, Mark Hopkins.
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