In our Oct. 11 Review & Opinion column, we wrote about the challenges relating to the transition away from gasoline-powered automobiles. This piece focuses on the broader issues relating to climate change.
The discussion surrounding climate change has ignited intense debate in recent years. On one side, there are groups such as Clintel, which concluded that “there is no climate emergency,” and others which believe far too little is being done. It is essential to recognize the importance of open dialogue, free from labels, and consider all sides, and not fall into the trap of acting hastily. Rushing to conclusions about problems and solutions could lead to costly errors, much like France’s attempt to construct the Panama Canal at sea level, resulting in immense wasted resources and lost lives, only for the United States to complete it with locks to overcome the geographical challenges.
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The people must demand that government be forthcoming about the cost of the policies
they are driving, and from there allow an informed populace to decide if the sacrifices are necessary.
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The Urgency of Climate Action
The urgency of climate action is a topic of concern. Some argue that we cannot afford to take more time to investigate the questions and uncertainties surrounding climate change and must act swiftly. Politicians, aware of their limited time in office, often favor immediate action. However, the adage “haste makes waste” cautions against rushing into transformative initiatives. It remains to be seen whether our state constitution provides too much power to governors for driving such initiatives. Furthermore, the efforts of underdeveloped nations and even industrial giants like China, who continue to build coal-fired power plants, pose challenges to our efforts to combat climate change.
Divergent Opinions on Climate Change
Climate change remains a topic with widely divergent opinions. Bjorn Lomborg, author of “How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor and Fails to Fix the Planet,” challenges the prevailing narrative about climate emergencies. He points out that the number of hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. has slightly decreased since 1980, and Australia has experienced one of the lowest levels of fire-related incidents on record. Globally, the burned area has significantly decreased over the past 25 years. Lomborg emphasizes the importance of economic growth and adaptation, as wealthier nations are better equipped to cope with climate-related challenges.
The Cost of Renewable Energy
Lomborg also raises concerns about the feasibility of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050, highlighting the substantial economic costs and damage associated with such an endeavor. According to his estimates, reaching even 95% renewable energy would cost each person $11,000 annually. This places a significant financial burden on individuals and the economy.
Yale University climate economist William Nordhaus predicts that if no action is taken, and the temperature increases by 7.4 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, the global economy will decline by 4%. However, he suggests that the average person will still be 450% richer than today. Thus, doing nothing would still leave us 434% richer. Lomborg argues that we should focus on cost-effective policies and invest in innovative technologies that can provide affordable and reliable green energy.
Conclusion
The climate change debate is far from settled, and it is crucial to maintain an open dialogue that considers a wide range of perspectives. We must carefully evaluate the potential consequences of our actions before implementing transformative policies. Green technologies and renewable energy sources hold promise for reducing our environmental impact, but we must balance these initiatives with practical considerations such as energy availability, cost and the unique challenges of individual regions. In the pursuit of a sustainable future, it is essential to listen to all arguments and seek a balanced approach to addressing climate change. The people must demand that government be forthcoming about sacrifices and the cost of the policies they are driving, and from there allow an informed populace to decide.
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From the Bible: Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 29:20
