There are many different connections between the readings we have done thus far in our ENVS160 course. These Connections allow for us as individuals to form our own opinions on the pressing issue of climate change and eventually make our own impact on the future of our world. Learning different opinions of possible solutions and evaluating the results allows us as scholars to make corrections to past efforts and build towards a more sustainable future.
The role of science in climate change
One of the main reoccurring themes which stands out to me is the role of science when it comes to discussing climate change. Hulme refers to science in climate change as the likelihood of something happening and makes it clear that is not fact. He also explores the expectations we as people have for science saying “If science is not able to adequately distinguish ‘truth’ from ‘error’, or if science is not able to offer reliable estimates of the likelihood of future climatic phenomena occurring, is the problem with science itself or with our expectations of what science can do for us?” (Hulme 2009, 73). Hulme understands that science has its limits, especially in the field of climate. Philips has a similar view to Hulme in the fact that science can be interpreted different ways. Philips explains that activists learned that genetically modified foods were bad for people and the environment with the goal of private profit only taking in to account the work done with Monsanto. Philips then goes on to explain that the science can be interpreted differently saying “Is it beyond the imagination of anti-GM activists that genetic modification could be used for public benefit instead of private profit?” (Philips 2015,156). Hulme and Philips have taught me that science is not necessarily fact and can be presented in a variety of ways with different intentions.
Individual approaches are not the most effective
Both Sternberg and Smil would agree that managing the environment on an individual basis is not the most efficient way to slow the rate of climate change. The entire first section of Steinbergs book, Who Rules the Earth, entitled Recycling is Not Enough, he points out that although acting on an individual scale by doing things like recycling slightly help, the real solution lies in things like national regulations. Paul argues that although throwing a plastic bottle in a recycling bin makes you feel good for doing the right thing there is still that question nagging at you wondering whether that even made a difference (Steinberg 2015). The answer to his question is essentially no, in the mix of things working on an individual basis by recycling and other small things makes very little difference in the grand scheme of things. Smil shares the exact same view point saying “We must realize that in the long run even the highest practical rates of recycling may not be enough to result in dematerialization rates great enough to negate the rising demand for materials generated by continuing population growth, rising standards of living, and the universal human preference for amassing possessions.” (Smill 2014, 216). Similar to Steinberg, Smil realizes that the solution lies elsewhere. In order to really make a difference we must stop focusing on what the individual can do and focus more on a larger scale, by making national and international regulations.
These readings from our class have shown me different viewpoints on the pressing issue of climate change and have allowed me to form my own opinions regarding the issue. That is the first step in correcting our mistakes from the past and building toward a brighter future.
Connor Schenk
Bibliography
Hulme, M. Why we disagree about climate change: understanding controversy, inaction and opportunity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Phillips, Leigh. Austerity ecology & the collapse-porn addicts: a defence of growth, progress, industry and stuff. Winchester, UK: Zero Books, 2015.
Smil, Vaclav. Making the modern world: materials and dematerialization. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley, 2014.
Steinberg, Paul F. Who rules the earth?: how social rules shape our planet and our lives. New York, NY: Oxford Univ. Press, 2015.