Carbon emissions and the big picture – simple

Is global warming happening? Yes
Is global warming caused by humans? Mostly
Is global warming something we can prevent? Maybe

I really want to keep the above simple, it explains the situation and poses the right questions, but let’s look at the answers in more detail…

Yes, global warming is happening. Some island nations are sinking and there is good overall scientific evidence that over the recent 100 years other factors are showing that climate change is real.

If this is being caused by humans (mostly) though is questionable. Again the overall scientific evidence is that over the last 70-100 years CO2 has increased at higher rates than it has at any other previous period of time that we have been able to measure. I am not going to sight some individual factors that may dispute this reality, look into all the evidence and you can not deny that our mechanical age has contributed to this increase. This is throwing out the balance of how our planet behaves and how it is currently reacting, temperatures are rising, in part because of our actions.

While we increase CO2 outputs we are also reducing the ways CO2 is stored in the quantity of plant materials and sequestered from the atmosphere. Burning the CO2 candle at both ends has the same affect on our planet as doing the same thing to your personal energy process. Increase the intake of energies and reduce your exercise you will personally get obese and unfit, the same thing will happen to our planet with CO2.

Are we able to prevent the affect or turn the tide is impossible to predict. We are already beyond the point at which we have total control over the effects of this change, already islands are sinking – is this acceptable?
If our affect on global warming is something we can prevent or if it something we can even begin to manage better – should we not do something about it?
Should we not do anything because its too big or hard or even in the eyes of many seems questionable, at the other end of the scale is the potential for our extinction – is this acceptable?

I think we are beginning to do something, it’s late, it’s limited and in the eyes of many it has little hope of achieving the level or return needed to ‘solve the problem’ but it must start somewhere.

Our footprint or affect on this planet is now easily measured as the CO2 emissions caused by any activity we do. In the extreme cases this must be monitored, reduced and balanced with equal positive initiatives.

Australia is now implementing a carbon trading scheme (CTS) as has been done in various degrees in other countries and regions. As a form of tax this ensures that any excessive CO2 output will be managed and costed. No it will not resolve the emissions of the world but it is the starting place where we in this region can begin to do our part. For now this will have some negative affects on the local economy and add to the actual cost a CO2 based business has to account compared to other industries in other countries that don’t yet account for this burden.

Eventually it will do more. Because of the CTS Australia will begin to shun vehicles or equipment that don’t live up to our long term expectations and CTS obligations.
In recent years as cars have become smaller, more efficient and safer and the same thing must also happen with our carbon footprint. The ‘product’ can no longer have the environmental consequences without it being fully accounted and payed for.

I feel that many of these simple concepts get blown out of proportion and argued through politics and sideshow advertising to sway opinion to the point where the essential idea is lost. I hope the above summarises this reality into something anybody can digest because all I want is for people to start being responsible for their crap and to clean up after themselves. It doesn’t always happen, but I hope that better global etiquette is lead by example and if that’s through CTS’s or other initiatives then that can only (ultimately) be a good thing.