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The most critical issue facing the Arctic is not an environmental problem such as decreasing albedo, disappearing summer sea ice, or rising sea levels. The most critical issue facing the Arctic is despondence. Bombarded with news of rising temperature, changing weather patterns, and continued resource depletion, it’s easy to become pessimistic. Is it even worth a try? Bill McKibben writes that “if we stopped increasing CO2 now, the temperature would likely still rise another 0.8 degrees”, and there’s nothing to suggest we will stop now or even within the foreseeable future.
Even though some impact is irreversible we have to curb climate change’s worst effects. Many say, what is the point of trying? Population is increasing, living standards are going up, and it’s impossible to organize cross-border treaties in a world of countries with diverse interests. But a recent study by the Global Legislators Organization shows that 64 of the 66 countries that are responsible for nine-tenths of emissions have passed legislation to prevent climate change. Additionally, the Montreal Protocol of 1989 looms as the paradigm of international agreements. What is to say we cannot achieve something equally successful today such as a global carbon tax?
http://youtu.be/ZcvDu65ikWM
Even though some impact is irreversible we have to curb climate change’s worst effects. Many say, what is the point of trying? Population is increasing, living standards are going up, and it’s impossible to organize cross-border treaties in a world of countries with diverse interests. But a recent study by the Global Legislators Organization shows that 64 of the 66 countries that are responsible for nine-tenths of emissions have passed legislation to prevent climate change. Additionally, the Montreal Protocol of 1989 looms as the paradigm of international agreements. What is to say we cannot achieve something equally successful today such as a global carbon tax?
http://youtu.be/ZcvDu65ikWM
