Climate Change: Economics, Security, and Global Cooperation

From Global Security to Local Extremes

Not only is climate change one of the most critical components in America but also in other countries. Climate change is closely related to economics, national health, and global warming. Sea rise and increasing temperature are the most relevant results that we can see through the excessive use of greenhouse gases. Many scientists say that climate change is related to global warming. According to NASA, global temperature has increased by .07 °C per decade since 1880. However, 1980 showed a significant increase in global average temperature. One thing that we have to know is that global warming will increase the frequency of climate change and severe weather.

In 2013, the head of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Samuel Locklear III, said that Global warming is the most likely thing that is going to happen… that will cripple the security environment, probably more likely than the other scenarios we all often talk about’. Climate change is a serious problem that we are facing now, and there should be specific security for this problem. California had the hottest July last year. The state average temperature was 79.7 degrees, and a few of the highest temperatures were recorded in Death Valley. Several massive fires happened across California, including the Mendocino complex, which was recorded as the third largest on record in the state.

From Fire Risk to Economic Consequences

Dr. William said that nature creates the perfect conditions for fire as long as people are there to start the fires. However, climate change, in a few different ways, seems also to load the dice toward more fire in the future. Moreover, Accu Weather implied that the total output of all goods and services cost $20 trillion, which is equivalent to 2 percent of the nation’s GDP. This evidence implies that climate change will eventually affect our economies, and the U.S. also must be prepared for this problem. What would happen if the global temperature keeps rising for the next 20 years? Without ecological security, the temperature would consistently rise until 4°C. It will cause several impacts, which consist of changing precipitation, melting snow and ice, rising sea levels, and changing severe weather. Every impact is explained as follows…

Melting snow and ice will cause low albedo, which means the low reflection of sunlight energy and raised sea level. Rising sea levels will cause severe weather due to increased evaporation. Various causes are involved in this matter, so ecological security is the only thing to delay global warming. The natural progression will take a long time to see the result. Government policies would help this problem. One of the impressive examples from our reading was that the California government made a new policy for buildings and houses. All new houses in California must install a solar panel, and it saves the home buyer $40 a month.

From Conservation to International Cooperation

Since the significant problem of global warming is burning fossil fuels, it is an excellent idea to reduce electricity use. Another policy that I would recommend is related to reforestation and education. The government could make one special day to plant trees and educate the young generation about climate change. Once a year would be great, and I hope it could increase by 5% within five years. Climate change is a severe problem that we are facing now. Our nation should get prepared for the future and need to apply environmental taxes or subsidies to companies.

Since global warming is related to the whole world, I believe that developed countries should make the association to reduce developing country’s CO2. For example, 70% of India and the Philippines still use a wood stove for heating or cooking, and most of their house has a black roof. Developed countries can support some eco-efficient stoves and paint their roof to decrease temperature. It will decrease the excessive use of air-conditioning, and it will also decrease the CO2 level. Lastly, as I mentioned, global warming can be delayed by education, government policy, government subsidies, and supporting developing countries.

References:

1. NASA. (n.d.). Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/
2. U.S. Department of Defense. (2013). Commander’s Interview with Samuel J. Locklear III. Retrieved from https://archive.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=5266
3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2018). State of the Climate: National Climate Report for 2017. Retrieved from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/national/201713
4. Dr. William. (n.d.). Personal communication.
5. AccuWeather. (n.d.). Climate Change Costing U.S. Economy $20 Trillion. Retrieved from https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/climate-change-costing-us-economy-20-trillion/70002000
6. California Energy Commission. (n.d.). Solar Energy for New Homes. Retrieved from https://www.energy.ca.gov/solar/solar_for_new_homes.html
7. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/
8. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (n.d.). Climate Education. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/climate-action/education
9. World Bank. (n.d.). Carbon Pricing Dashboard. Retrieved from https://carbonpricingdashboard.worldbank.org/
10. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (n.d.). Support to Developing Countries. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/climatechange/support-developing-countries