Climate Change and Public Policy Essay examples - 1503 Words

It is becoming increasingly certain that climate change will have severe adverse effects on the environment in years to come. Addressing this issue poses a serious challenge for policy makers. How we choose to respond to the threat of global warming is not simply a political issue. It is also an economic issue and an ethical one. Responsible, effective climate change policy requires consideration of a number of complex factors, including weighing the costs of implementing climate change policies against the benefits of more environmentally sustainable practices. Furthermore, this analysis must take place amidst serious gaps in the existing research and technology concerning the developing climatic condition. For these reasons, global†¦show more content†¦However, even for those who are less motivated by such moralistic calls to action, the fact remains that conservation is as much an economic issue as an ethical one. While economic considerations are a problematic feature o f climate change policy, under the proper analysis, they also serve as an important motivator. Economic analysis that weighs all costs and benefits of a particular model must include environmental considerations. That is to say, the potential for short-term economic losses caused by conservation in the present, should be measured against the dividends that conservation will pay in the future (Nordhaus, 2007). If the earth is truly our most valuable commodity, then analysis under these conditions should recognize that if a â€Å"dollar value† were placed on environmental sustainability, more often than not it would outweigh any initial monetary loss resultant of the implementation of more sustainable practices. Indeed, if we accept the danger of global warming to be a real and present one, then the question of how to address it must be given serious consideration. Research conducted from as early as the 1950s through the present has afforded us a solid understanding of its cau ses. In the most basic sense, the problem lies in the burning of carbon-based fossil fuels such as carbon and oil which leads to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). Gases such as CO2 are referred to as greenhouse gases (GHGs) which accumulate in the atmosphere. GHGs canShow MoreRelatedImpact Of Public Policy On Global Energy And Climate Change2404 Words   |  10 PagesAidan Johnson BBE2201 25 April 2016 The Impact of Public Policy on Global Energy And Climate Change As a political science major with a focus on international politics, energy and the environment are not just a means to an end but instead they are the focus of the work itself. Rather than studying business and needing energy to run things effectively, the study of international relationships is in the business of dealing with these large topics in energy reduction especially as they relate toRead MoreClimate Change Is A Multi Dimensional Phenomena Essay1655 Words   |  7 Pagesforget about: climate change. While many people perceive climate change as simply a â€Å"global† issue, a lot of countries ignore their responsibilities to tackle this fatal crisis. There are quite a number of factors working directly and indirectly behind the ways various countries have different policies in facing this issue, as climate change is a multi-dimensional phenomena. This paper will briefly analyze the political economic reasons of why different nations adopt different policies regarding thisRead MoreClimate Change And Its Effects1095 Words   |  5 Pageson it for reasons ranging from denial to discomfort, has evolved from those unpleasant debates to today’s friendly conversations. The topic is climate change, and the controversy surrounding it has been rooted in disagreement on what exactly causes it. Some say that climate change is a hoax and the changes are part of a natural cycle of the Earth’s climate system. Others are positive that it is the direct result of human activities and without immediate action, the planet will become inhospitableRead MorePublic Agency Employees Should Remain Neutral And Apolitical During Agency Decision Making And Policy Implementation937 Words   |  4 PagesIntro to Public Administration 279 April 6, 2015 Global Climate Change: â€Å"Public agency employees should remain value neutral and apolitical during agency decision making and policy implementation.† As everyone knows global climate change and global warming is a big topic of debate when it comes to public policy nowadays. The question I will be answering that relates to the issue is, â€Å"Public agency employees should remain value neutral and apolitical during agency decision making and policy implementationRead MoreThe Importance Of Climate Policy1186 Words   |  5 Pagesthe end of the century Earth’s global temperature will rise 2 degrees Celsius – causing irreversible damage to the atmosphere – leading to catastrophic results for the planet, according to a study by the journal Nature Climate Change. In response to this growing threat of climate change and environmental degradation, national governments, along with local governments and private businesses have stepped up their efforts to help preserve the precious resource that is the environment. However, there areRead MoreThe Issue Of Global Climate Change957 Words   |  4 Pages If the issue of g lobal climate change is not addressed properly, it will create enormous economic challenges that will create huge price tags on the global economy; that is why we need to give much attention by proposing international policy because it will bolster cooperation between countries and international organizations by formulating policies for the general good of society. Climate change plays a key role in our day to day activities. The changes in climate will affect our movement, healthRead More Climate Change: The Sciences, the Media, and Politics Essay1468 Words   |  6 Pagesgreatly influence public opinion and understanding of the world around us. These three spheres of information and action are invariably linked when discussing complex global issues like climate change. However, the presentation and resolution of disagreement within the three spheres is incredibly independent. The many ways that climate change, specifically the debate on the existence of climate change, is portra yed within these spheres can greatly affect public emotion, knowledge, and policy of such anRead MoreThe Effects Of Climate Change On The Environment1217 Words   |  5 Pagesrisks of climate change, but many others are unaware of the problem, unsure of the facts or what to do, do not trust experts or believe their conclusions, think the problem is elsewhere, are fixed in their ways, believe that others should act, or believe that their actions will make no difference or are unimportant compared to those of others. II. †¢ An individual level of analysis is relevant for understanding the impacts of climate change and the ways individuals adapt to climate change becauseRead MoreWhat Is The Citizen Panel On Edmontons Energy Transition Initiative?752 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction The Citizen Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate Change was a City of Edmonton initiative to engage a diverse citizen panel to make recommendations to council and administration for the development of an energy transition plan over a 42 hour period in 2012 (Citizens’ Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate Changes, 2013, pg. 1). This paper will explore the citizen engagement initiative undertaken by the City of Edmonton, using course-based materials to analyze and evaluate the participationRead MoreHuman Induced And Proceeds At A Rate1246 Words   |  5 Pages It is no surprise to anyone that Earth’s climate has experienced significant changes throughout history. Over the past million years, planet have been through several changes between glacier advance and retreat whereas the last one ended seven thousand years ago followed by the beginning of modern climate era and rise of human civilization (NASA, 2010). Majority of these changes were caused by relatively small variations in the orbit of the planet that altered the amount of energy that Earth received