By Paul Roberts / For The Herald
What does a successful strategy to address climate change look like? What are the elements?
Given where we are today with rising greenhouse gas levels from burning fossil fuels warming the planet and a politically divided society, how do we define success and how do we get there? Here are some key principles and strategies for success.
First, accepting fact-based information is the single most significant principle for successfully responding to climate change. The ability to accept peer-reviewed science and information outside of our ideological or tribal frameworks is essential to solving complex problems, particularly something as complex as climate change.
Consuming fossil fuels alters our physical environment and our economy, threatening life on the planet. The science clearly tells us we are approaching tipping points within the next few decades. Global temperatures are currently at 1.4 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels; just under the 1.5 to 2 degree threshold set in the Paris agreement. The laws of physics, chemistry, math, biology and atmospheric sciences apply independent of one’s religion or political beliefs, and they are self-enforcing. We don’t have time for misinformation, disinformation or nonsense.
Likewise, responding to the climate crisis with anger, denial, paralysis and fear is counterproductive. We are not helpless, and we are not hopeless. Environmental engineer Katie Patrick said: “Fear and doom shut down our brain capacity for creative thinking. Vision and optimism super boost it.”
Responding with facts and focus will build hope and yield results.
The second principle is vision. Climate scientist and author Katharine Hayhoe points out there are solutions to the climate crisis consistent with a livable planet, functioning society and thriving economy. However, business as usual is not one of them.
We must craft a transformative vision for a clean-energy zero-emission economy and effective strategies to achieve it. We need to provide positive incentives to act, not just an apocalypse to avoid. Investing in the search for these solutions with significant resources focused on research and development is key to realizing this vision. Our survival literally depends on it.
Third, we must understand the mutually dependent relationships between the environment (the natural world), the economy (the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services) and society (human health). The environment and economy operate on a global scale affecting society and the human condition. They directly effect political stability and political will; the missing ingredient for success in battling climate change.
Political will to address climate change is difficult if not impossible to build without a functioning economy. Transitioning to a clean energy zero-emission economy as fast as possible will test our political, financial and social structures. Our survival depends on passing this test. Christiana Figueres, the lead negotiator for the Paris agreement said: “The planet will survive. The question is whether we will be here to witness it.”
Time is short, but investing in research and development is an essential component of this test of will to build a clean-energy economy. R&D in energy, transportation, building and agriculture is how we build a bridge between today’s fossil fuel-based economy and a thriving economy based on clean energy. This is a bridge to a prosperous future and a stable climate. In fact, this transition is already underway and it will benefit the environment, economy and society.
Fourth, we need leaders who apply the principles of science, vision and clean-energy economics to save humanity. It’s a tall order, but we have been here before. In Tom Brokaw’s book “The Greatest Generation,” he tells the stories of common people, men and women who demonstrated uncommon courage, leadership and sacrifice. They came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War. They went on to build America and the world’s greatest economy. They were united in a common purpose and brought the values of courage and service above self in their toolbox. We need that leadership now.
Climate change can be successfully addressed, but it’s an all hands on deck challenge. Success can be ours if we apply these principles, beginning with investing in R&D for clean energy, and ending subsidies for fossil fuels. From there, the key strategies to address climate change focus on mitigation (reducing GHG emissions), and adaptation (preparing for climate change impacts).
Mitigation will focus primarily on the largest sources of GHG emissions in our economy: energy, transportation, buildings and agriculture. Of these four sectors, transportation is the furthest along in terms of applied technologies to replace fossil fuels. However, R&D is also underway in energy, buildings and agriculture. Significant work is being conducted in Washington state in all four sectors, including here in Snohomish County.
Adaptation is about preparing for climate impacts, hazard mitigation planning and emergency management response. Climate influenced events such as heat, wildfires, sea level rise, precipitation and flooding impact human health, property, critical infrastructure, the environment and the economy.
Future articles in the Eco-nomics series will explore successful strategies and developments including featuring some local examples.
Paul Roberts is retired and lives in Everett. His career spans over five decades in infrastructure, economics and environmental policy including advising Washington cities on climate change and past Chair of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Board of Directors.
Eco-nomics
Eco-nomics is a series of articles exploring issues at the intersection of climate change and economics. Climate change (global warming) is caused by greenhouse gas emissions — carbon dioxide and methane chiefly — generated by human activities, primarily burning fossil fuels and agricultural practices. Global warming poses an existential threat to the planet. Successfully responding to this threat requires urgent actions — clear plans and actionable strategies — to rapidly reduce GHG emissions and adapt to climate-influenced events.
The Eco-nomics series, to be published regularly in The Herald, is focusing on mitigation and adaptation strategies viewed through the twin perspectives of science and economics. Find links to the series thus far at tinyurl.com/HeraldEco-nomics.
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