Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumThe five ways to stop climate change. Oh, wait, make that one way
http://grist.org/news/the-five-ways-to-stop-climate-change-oh-wait-make-that-one-way/***SNIP
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology in the Environment, ranks the strategies according to factors such as feasibility, risk, and cost. It suggests that, if we want to keep the planet closest to how we know it now, we should focus on No. 1. If, however, all you want is inspiration for your next cli-fi piece, No. 5 might be where its at.
Here they are, in order from best to worst:
Reduce carbon emissions through improving energy efficiency, conserving usage, and adopting renewable energy sources. The study suggests that this is, by far, the top thing we need to do to stop global warming.
Sequester more carbon by letting plants do their thing. Promote forest regrowth and stop clearcutting the Amazon, and trees will suck up more CO2 for us. Also, simple agricultural practices such as leaving leftover plant waste after harvest and allowing it to break back down into the soil will bury some more of that carbon back in the ground.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,154 posts)(Do people browsing on phones get problems with large pictures? If so, it could be a concern for them too)
GliderGuider
(21,088 posts)We shouldn't expect it to stop - or even slow down - global warming. Introducing conservation and efficiency in one part of the global system (in a country, region or economic sector) simply spares capital and resources to allow other parts of the system to grow faster. Capital and resources always flow to wherever they can make the greatest profit. Squeeze the balloon in on this side, and it pops out on that side. Until the operation of the world's economy changes, the outcome will remain the same (which is why it's called BAU).
#2 is of marginal global benefit (though still a good idea), 3 is not proving to be feasible, while 4 and 5 are the stuff nightmares are made of.
So what's Plan B?