So we've come to the final part of our little global warming party, and now it's time to blow out the candles, fire the scary clown and eat cake with our fingers.
The causes of global warming are well debated, but the solutions are a different story. You've probably read about thousands of ways that you can positively impact the environment by adopting green practices in your everyday lives, but what about the very real policy changes that are key to reversing the effects of climate change 10, 20 and 50 years from now?
According to Environmental Defense, there a four keys to global warming policy. I have taken the liberty to expand and explain in a little more detail, minus the legislative and technical hobgobble.
So without further delay, I present to you the final part of the global warming primer:
A Limit on Global Warming Pollution Though this seems obvious, current legislation is locked in debate because there hasn't been a concrete precedence for truly limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Placing caps on emissions and offering economic incentives for countries that do so are current methods, as well as the newer Renewable Energy Certificates, which allow consumers and businesses to purchase the environmental benefits of replacing traditional energy with renewable. But there still needs to be a global consensus on either setting standards, or finding a middle ground that does not harm economies.
Trading
All economic sectors must help one another, meaning developing economies receive help from the big boys, ensuring that global renewable energy standards are not out of reach for certain countries. Basically, larger companies and governments sell carbon offsets and implement environmental projects in areas that cannot sustain on their own.
Biofuel Technology
Agriculturally produced fuels are in the works as we speak. In fact, there is a Texas plant converting cow manure to natural gas, and research on plant-based fuels for vehicles is ongoing. This is one area that Environmental Defense feels is in need of additional policy to support development and funding.
Open the Market
Give the reigns of developing new green standards and technology to economic leaders, as in the companies driving the other kind of green. Competition among said companies is unfortunately trampling many opportunities to expand research and development of renewable resources, so why not provide economic incentives and additional breaks to companies that introduce new energy standards and products.
Once more, the debate rolls on. Whether global warming is man made or not really isn't the central issue. Despite a popular consensus that climate change needs to be reversed, the need to adopt global standards still remains relatively untouched, with many taking the lead on providing consumers with options to purchase renewable energy for their homes.
