Climate change for and against
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Climate Change: Arguments For and Against
Introduction to Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in weather conditions and patterns, primarily driven by human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels, which increase greenhouse gas emissions. This phenomenon has led to significant global warming, with anthropogenic activities causing approximately 1.0°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, a figure projected to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052 if current emission rates persist1.
Arguments For Climate Change Action
Environmental and Economic Impacts
The adverse effects of climate change are evident in the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters. In 2018 alone, there were 315 climate-related natural disasters affecting 68.5 million people and causing economic losses of $131.7 billion, with storms, floods, wildfires, and droughts accounting for 93% of these losses1. The economic impacts extend to ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, and capital productivity, posing a threat to human well-being6.
Health Implications
Climate change significantly impacts human health through various pathways, including increased heat waves, floods, droughts, and changes in the distribution of vector-borne diseases. These health effects are particularly severe in low-income countries, although high-income countries are not immune, as demonstrated by the 2003 heat wave in Europe3 4. Mitigating climate change by reducing fossil fuel use and increasing renewable energy can improve health by reducing air pollution exposure3 4.
Social Justice and Vulnerability
The concept of climate justice highlights that those who contribute least to global warming are disproportionately affected by its negative health outcomes. This inequity necessitates a leadership role from professions such as nursing to engage in policy and advocacy to address these issues5. Additionally, poverty reduction is seen as a complementary strategy to greenhouse gas emissions reduction to mitigate climate change impacts9.
Arguments Against Climate Change Action
Causal Inefficacy and Individual Duties
One argument against individual action on climate change is the problem of causal inefficacy, which suggests that individual greenhouse gas emissions make no significant difference to the harmful consequences of climate change. This perspective questions whether individuals have any moral obligations to adopt greener lifestyles or press their governments to act2. However, many argue that individuals still have duties based on principles of integrity, fairness, and virtue, although there is disagreement on the extent of these duties2.
Economic Considerations
Some economic analyses suggest that the initial impacts of climate change may be positive and that the overall economic impact in the twenty-first century might be limited. However, the long-term negative impacts are expected to outweigh the positives, especially in poorer, hotter, and lower-lying countries9. The uncertainty in quantifying these impacts complicates the formulation of effective policies9.
Perception and Political Ideology
Public perception of climate change is influenced by worldview and political ideology, which shape expectations and interpretations of climate events. This cultural context can lead to insufficient concern and trust in scientific descriptions of climate change, complicating the transfer of knowledge from scientists to the public and policymakers10. Affect-based and analysis-based decisions are unlikely to motivate significant action due to the discounting of uncertain future costs compared to immediate costs of mitigation10.
Conclusion
The debate on climate change encompasses a range of arguments for and against action. While the environmental, economic, and health impacts of climate change provide strong reasons for immediate and sustained action, challenges such as causal inefficacy, economic considerations, and public perception complicate the response. Addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach that includes mitigation, adaptation, and a commitment to social justice to protect the most vulnerable populations.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Strategies for mitigation of climate change: a review
Conventional mitigation efforts alone are insufficient to meet the Paris agreement targets, and alternative technologies like biogenic-based sequestration are needed for immediate deployment.
Highly CitedClimate change and individual duties
Individuals have some duties to take action against climate change, but disagreement remains over the exact nature and extent of these duties.
Literature ReviewClimate change and human health: impacts, vulnerability, and mitigation
Climate change negatively impacts human health, with low-income countries and high-income countries vulnerable, and mitigation through reduced fossil fuel use and renewable energy technologies can improve health by reducing air pollution.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedClimate change and human health: impacts, vulnerability and public health.
Climate change negatively impacts human health, with low-income countries and renewable energy technologies being particularly vulnerable, and adaptation strategies and improved surveillance are needed.
Highly CitedClimate Change, Climate Justice, and Environmental Health: Implications for the Nursing Profession.
Nurses must embrace social justice and engage in policy discussions to address the negative health impacts of climate change, particularly affecting those who contribute least to global warming.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedEconomics Of Climate Change
Climate change economics provides insights into designing policies to reduce, avoid, or adapt to climate change, influencing decision-making under uncertainty and influencing policy implementation at domestic and international levels.
Highly CitedImpact of climate change on human infectious diseases: Empirical evidence and human adaptation.
Climate change may increase human infectious diseases, but proactive measures and better understanding of disease-specific effects can help control these health impacts.
Literature Review
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedModern Global Climate Change
Human-induced climate change, primarily caused by energy use and urbanization, is likely to continue for centuries, with disruptive impacts.
Highly CitedThe Economic Impacts of Climate Change
Climate change has limited short-term economic impacts, but long-term negative impacts are greater in poorer, hotter, and lower-lying countries, and poverty reduction complements emissions reduction to reduce these impacts.
Highly CitedWhat shapes perceptions of climate change?
Worldview and political ideology shape perceptions of climate change, influencing detection and interpretation of events, leading to potential sustainable action.
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