Options for Climate Change

Are we doing enough to address climate change?

While the world’s governments come to terms on an effective way to address climate change, some of the lessons history provides are pushed to the background. Our planet has experienced climate change through natural occurrences since first forming an atmosphere, long before the industrial revolution and long before our predecessors began to walk. 

Reducing emissions of the various gasses that induce atmospheric warming in a way that does not negatively impact on a nation’s economy or those trapped in a low income bracket is only part of the challenge.  

Charles Darwin’s ‘survival of species’ demonstrates how various species survive by adapting to a changing environment.

In our distant past, entire societies disappeared from history. Wars were fought over arable land, water or hunting grounds as the effect of climate change reduced food resources threatening the survival of a society. Others survived by moving to a region that would sustain their lives and culture. 

As demonstrated by the European refugee crisis, today’s national borders present significant difficulties with such a mass migration. These include economic impact and cultural integration into a well established society. Should predictions prove correct, adaptation to an environment affected by climate change will rely on cooperative global trading. Each nation trades for what another cannot grow, produce or manufacture.

Our social structure is underpinned by a complex economic framework that is dependent on productivity and global trade. Today’s free trade agreements could potentially form a viable template in addressing an uncertain future.

Reverting to aggressive military or economic action is not a danger that can be ignored. Sadly, history also teaches us that we are not reluctant to using these radical options. Addressing the effects of climate change will require understanding, objective dialogue and global cooperation, if we are to avoid conflict.

There are no simple solutions. They are complex and multi faceted. Opening up the pathways to these complex solutions can have unpredictable political ramifications, scenario’s politicians tend to avoid.

‘Never start an inquiry unless you know the answer’ comes to mind.  

With nowhere to hide or isolate oneself from what is a global event this mindset must change and priority given to exploring how we can best deal with the many challenges a changing environment could present us and future generations. 

© 2015 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au 

As featured on Gold Coast and Hinterland Business Alliance website.