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. 

Balancing Social Economic and Environmental Issues

Balancing Social Economic and Environmental Issues

Social, economic and environmental issues, especially when related to development are three elements often found in conflict. Adding political will to the equation regularly lead to an extended period of paralysis by analysis and navel gazing in finding an acceptable balance if ever.

As society has correctly become more environmentally conscious, some sectors within the broader community are inflamed with what can be described as ideological fundamentalism and a anti-development mindset. These well organized and dedicated minorities dominate the debate and political decision making process. The silent majority by its very silence is subjugated.

Regardless of the many social and economic benefits a development may deliver, overreaching environmental objection often results in lost opportunity.

No one can afford to ignore the importance of environmental protection, especially in what is an increasingly shrinking planet. But neither can we as a species ignore that we are also an indivisible part of that natural environment. Along with that truism we must consider the realities of the social and economic structure that supports us.

While current and future generations should work to guarantee environmental stability the same demand applies to social and economic security. This will require a pragmatic approach in balancing our expectations between these three elements along with the political will to resolve the challenges, make informed decisions and implement a way forward.

The reality of modern day politics is that it has predominantly become a profession immersed in the maintenance and pursuit of power influenced by public opinion. The silent majority while comfortable in privately expressing its opinion must find its public voice and engage with government in expressing its expectations forcing government to act in a manner based on the principle of majority interest and wellbeing.

In a balanced society all relevant points of view should be equally weighed and measured to determine a realistic course of action. Our elected political representatives should be reminded that without an equitable balance between these three critical challenges, collapse of our social structure becomes a real possibility.

Change may prove difficult, perhaps even an anathema to some, but change remains an inevitable journey connecting our past and potential future. Having the courage to accept this inevitability and acting accordingly will determine what that future brings.

© 2015 Bob Janssen | BobJanssen.com.au