Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective.
While there are many who question how unrealistically magnified global warming has been, the effects of climate change may be increasingly palpable but measures and solutions are in place to control this phenomenon.
Discussion of the premise:
- Leading causes of climate change– industrialisation, population growth
- Explain how these issues aggravate the problem
- Need to show that if industrialisation / population growth is inevitable, then climate change is inevitable, i.e. assuming that there are no technological advances which would reduce pollution
Efforts to control cannot be truly effective:
- Climate change action cannot be truly effective because it is a wicked problem and lacks a definitive formulation, does not have an inherent end that signals a resolution.
- Despite of several environmental treaties, many countries are still not committed to fulfilling the climate change goals due to reasons that may not be made apparent during a climate treaty meeting.
- Even if a society were to uniformly accept the premises and threats of climate change, the lack of commitment and conviction frustrates the impact of climate change initiatives.
- Environment has been damaged by humans in a myriad of ways. Despite efforts to reverse climate change, it is believed the efforts are not effective enough.
Efforts to control can be effective:
- Whereas attempts to control climate change will never be truly effective, there is impetus to take strong action to slow down the effects of damage to the climate and Earth’s environment.
- A clear standard will need to be set and observed by all countries to minimize false or inaccurate reporting of carbon emissions. Instead of waiting for governments to put regulations in place, private companies should act swiftly to conduct studies that help improve efficiency and reduce wastage. Finally, governments should work towards creating new jobs so as to minimize job losses and disruptions.
- Science and technology has enabled us to come up with measures to protect the environment and ways of alternative sources – tap on solar, geothermal or hydroelectric sources.
- new avenues are being explored and positive initiatives to protect the environment are taking place - for example, alternative ways of powering vehicles, such as with electricity.
