With Climate Change, Failure Is an Option — One We’ll Have to Live With

Is Global Warming a Real Problem?

Yes, global warming and the resulting climate change are real and serious problems that will only worsen. The Earth’s average temperature has already increased by 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit), and the effects of global warming are becoming increasingly evident.

The Problem of Global Warming

The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is increasing, leading to the heating of the atmosphere and oceans, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, melting glaciers, retreating Arctic sea ice, and melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica. These are not mere estimates or forecasts but measurable events.

In 2022, global greenhouse gas emissions reached an estimated total of 58 billion metric tons, the highest annual level ever recorded. Fossil fuel usage for power generation and heating accounted for nearly 75% of these emissions, while agriculture and deforestation contributed approximately 25%. It would take at least 30 years to implement an effective global program to eliminate human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, by which time the Earth’s temperature increase is likely to exceed the recommended upper limit of 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The longer we delay in addressing this problem, the hotter the Earth will become. Stopping greenhouse gas emissions in the future will only stabilize, but not reduce, the Earth’s temperature due to the long lifespan of these gases in the atmosphere.

Efforts to achieve net-zero emissions (no human-caused greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050, as stated by the government, have not yielded significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, greenhouse gas emissions have actually increased, as population growth and rising living standards have outweighed modest emissions reductions.

The Arctic and Antarctica are experiencing accelerated warming and changes compared to the global average. Although these regions may seem distant and easy to ignore, changes in the Arctic can have significant impacts on weather patterns throughout the northern hemisphere. Globally, extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods, storms, and forest fires are increasingly attributed, at least in part, to global warming. The frequency and intensity of these events are influenced by rising temperatures. It is becoming more difficult to dismiss them as normal weather extremes.

The impact of global warming is unevenly distributed, with those who contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions often suffering the most from its consequences.

Public Confusion

The public’s confusion regarding climate change is understandable. According to a recent Pew Research report, dealing with climate change ranks only 17th out of 21 concerns for the general population. This confusion is exacerbated by individuals and organizations that deny or downplay the problem, claiming that global warming is natural, unavoidable, or too costly to address. They argue for adaptation to a warmer world and the development of future technologies to mitigate the effects. However, these are excuses for inaction rather than valid reasons to ignore the problem.

The Need for U.S. Leadership

As the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the largest emitter on a per capita basis among major emitters, the United States must take a leadership role in solving the climate crisis. While international cooperation may be challenging, given geopolitical tensions, the U.S. should collaborate with willing partners such as the European Union and Japan. Implementing incentives like a border carbon tax can encourage other countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Government Action

The U.S. federal government, particularly the president and federal agencies, can play a crucial role in addressing climate change. The Department of Energy can develop an overall plan with a schedule and cost estimate, which can be reviewed by Congress. Other government organizations, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, can contribute to this plan.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in collaboration with regional transmission organizations and energy grid system operators, should define a stable national electric grid that efficiently distributes renewable energy. The National Academy of Sciences can involve the scientific community in proposing solutions, leveraging the expertise of universities and national laboratories. Additionally, private sector companies working on renewable energy and related technologies can be engaged as contractors.

The Importance of Acting Now

Failure to act on global warming will have severe consequences for current and future generations. Rising temperatures and increasing climate change will become unavoidable realities. It is imperative that we take immediate action to mitigate the effects of global warming and work towards a sustainable future.

About the Authors

William Fletcher is a mechanical engineer and former senior vice president at Rockwell International. Craig Smith, Ph.D., is an engineer and former professor of engineering at UCLA. They are coauthors of the book “Reaching Net Zero: What It Takes to Solve the Global Climate Crisis.” Their upcoming book, “The Global Climate Crisis: What To Do About It,” will be published by Elsevier in 2024.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula
   • Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
   • Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

   • SDG 13: Climate Action
   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following targets can be identified:

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population

   • Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

     Source: themessenger.com

      

     

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