Climate Change: Addressing the Challenge
Climate change is any long-term significant change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences. Average weather may include average temperature, precipitation and wind patterns. It involves changes in the variability or average state of the atmosphere over durations ranging from decades to millions of years. These changes can be caused by dynamic processes on Earth, external forces including variations in sunlight intensity, and more recently by human activities.
For over 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and deforestation have caused the concentrations of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases" to increase significantly in our atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Simply put, global warming is one of the direct causes of this planet’s climate change. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades.
Global warming isn’t the only culprit; deforestation also plays a major role in our climate change. Deforestation has not only changed the amount of water going into and out of a given location, but we can also attribute the change in climate to the extensive human development of the landscape and the loss of plant life - plant life that naturally clears the air of dangerous carbons.
Many countries are working together to reduce, to avoid, and to better understand the risks associated with climate change. On the local front, the EPA and other federal agencies are continuously engaging the private sector and states, in partnerships aimed at addressing the challenge of global warming while, at the same time, strengthening the economy.
The Bush Administration’s current climate change policy has three basic components designed to address both near-term and long-term aspects of climate change:
During the Vice-Presidential debate on October 2nd, on climate change, Sarah Palin was quick to say that she isn't one to "attribute every activity of man to the changes in the climate."
"There is something to be said also for man's activities, but also for the cyclical temperature changes on our planet," she said.
Joe Biden disagreed, saying, "I think it {climate change} is man-made. It's clearly man-made. If you don't understand what the cause is, you cannot come up with a solution."
And it is a solution that we need; unfortunately we’ve gotten used to seeing this critical issue downplayed, or blatantly ignored. It seems as if the only time we even hear “climate control” is in the context of McCain’s nuclear power plant development plans. And though Obama claims he will stand firm on global warming and climate change issues, both candidates went soft in their debate about this crisis.
Additionally, neither seemed to make the connection between the climate crisis and global food and water shortages and how this could create more failed states.
Where do these candidates stand on climate control? Well, they both support “cap and trade”, whereas Obama has a more aggressive plan than McCain; and nuclear power is definitely McCain’s passion, as clean coal is Obama’s. Renewable energy, Obama has a clear, well sought after plan, where McCain’s standing is a bit murky. McCain is adamant about fossil fuels, and Obama encourages the use of non-food source biofuels.
More than focusing on the reduction of greenhouse gas through emissions, lawmakers need to also realize that forest conservation can play a critical role in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate poverty.
John McCain and Barack Obama, however, vary widely in their response to this issue, leaving the American people with a choice of approaches when choosing the next president. The real question is, will either of them make the United States a leader on climate change?
For over 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and deforestation have caused the concentrations of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases" to increase significantly in our atmosphere. These gases prevent heat from escaping to space, somewhat like the glass panels of a greenhouse. Simply put, global warming is one of the direct causes of this planet’s climate change. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades.
Global warming isn’t the only culprit; deforestation also plays a major role in our climate change. Deforestation has not only changed the amount of water going into and out of a given location, but we can also attribute the change in climate to the extensive human development of the landscape and the loss of plant life - plant life that naturally clears the air of dangerous carbons.
Many countries are working together to reduce, to avoid, and to better understand the risks associated with climate change. On the local front, the EPA and other federal agencies are continuously engaging the private sector and states, in partnerships aimed at addressing the challenge of global warming while, at the same time, strengthening the economy.
The Bush Administration’s current climate change policy has three basic components designed to address both near-term and long-term aspects of climate change:
- Slowing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Laying important groundwork for both current and future action through major investments in science and technology, and institutions; and
- Promoting international cooperation
During the Vice-Presidential debate on October 2nd, on climate change, Sarah Palin was quick to say that she isn't one to "attribute every activity of man to the changes in the climate."
"There is something to be said also for man's activities, but also for the cyclical temperature changes on our planet," she said.
Joe Biden disagreed, saying, "I think it {climate change} is man-made. It's clearly man-made. If you don't understand what the cause is, you cannot come up with a solution."
And it is a solution that we need; unfortunately we’ve gotten used to seeing this critical issue downplayed, or blatantly ignored. It seems as if the only time we even hear “climate control” is in the context of McCain’s nuclear power plant development plans. And though Obama claims he will stand firm on global warming and climate change issues, both candidates went soft in their debate about this crisis.
Additionally, neither seemed to make the connection between the climate crisis and global food and water shortages and how this could create more failed states.
Where do these candidates stand on climate control? Well, they both support “cap and trade”, whereas Obama has a more aggressive plan than McCain; and nuclear power is definitely McCain’s passion, as clean coal is Obama’s. Renewable energy, Obama has a clear, well sought after plan, where McCain’s standing is a bit murky. McCain is adamant about fossil fuels, and Obama encourages the use of non-food source biofuels.
More than focusing on the reduction of greenhouse gas through emissions, lawmakers need to also realize that forest conservation can play a critical role in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate poverty.
John McCain and Barack Obama, however, vary widely in their response to this issue, leaving the American people with a choice of approaches when choosing the next president. The real question is, will either of them make the United States a leader on climate change?
posted by Paradise Earth Project at
10:06 AM
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