Hello and welcome to
the last post of the blog!
Over the past 3 months I’ve gathered multiple forms and ways
that humans and the natural planet can mitigate the effects of climate change and
adapt to move away from the, as established, damaging and dangerous anthropogenic
greenhouse gas emissions. I started off the blog, as part of the GEOG3057
module to resolve my worries and understand whether we could realistically reverse
the effects of climate change. I’m going to approach this answer with a three-pronged
approach:
-
Viability of the Technological World
-
Viability of the Natural World
-
Viability of Political World
Viability of the Technological
World
First and foremost, it has to be
said: I’ve been awed by the numerous amounts of solutions we have to mitigate
the effect of climate change. The current energy mix currently is heavily reliant
on coal, oil and natural gas for energy production (Figure 1).
 |
|
Figure 1. Energy composition of the world in 1973 and 2014
(Source: International
Energy Agency 2016
|
My posts have revealed multiple way in which we can aim to
reduce this reliance of Greenhouse Gas emitting fuels, I’ve focused on the
viability of the energies presented rather than the science. Specifically, so
as technological innovation is ever-present in the energy industry and that
these fossil fuels are a finite source. But also, utilising the reserves we
have right now is unfeasible in a global strive to resolve climate change (as
we discovered in my 4th post). Personally, this information has
allowed me to piece together whether we can mitigate the effects of climate change
and actually reverse the effects of it. I’ve reached the conclusion that we
cannot ‘reverse’ the effects of climate change per se, instead we have the
ability to control the form and way in which we now attain fuel and power
through renewable technological advances.
The viability of utilising renewable energy in the long run lies
in the ability to implement these structures successfully, we’ve seen evidence
for this in India (post
13) and the numerous technologies available to do so. I’m confident on the
technological front that we have the means and the ability to respond to
climate change effectively.
Viability of the
Natural World
At the beginning of the blog, I was unsure about the ability
of the natural world in response to climate change. I assessed the carbon sinks
of our planet and the extent that biodiversity can persevere in the face of
climate change to answer my uncertainty. I found that whilst the natural carbon
sinks still have potential there are increasing risks attached that are exacerbating
the effects of climate change, namely the ability of plants to actually intake
the excess carbon in the atmosphere and the ocean acidification issues that
arise. My research into the biodiversity of the planet, whilst not expansive,
reveals little gems relevant to the question of climate change response. Whilst
warming has effected the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica, Gutt
et al’s (2011) found that there was a limited effect on the benthic biodiversity
of the area. Whereas, on the opposite end of the scale The Great Barrier Reef
has received the short straw – being impacted by both warming and anthropogenic
carbon driving ocean acidification and coral bleaching. Impacting the
biodiversity of the reef immensely.
Viability then is present in the natural world, but I do believe
we have reached our limits and I fear that our planet may not keep up with our current
anthropogenic carbon habits. Which leads me into politics and the economy…
Viability of the Political
World
It is clear, that Business-As-Usual is unreasonable, unfeasible
and in my case, unwanted! I began the blog with very limited knowledge of the
scope of political actions and how they influence decisions related to climate change.
I’ve learnt that political will and action are vitally important in climate change
actions – where the ‘right narrative’ is present, something is done! For
example, my 12th
and 14th
post highlight the UK low carbon economy and the famous Paris agreement But,
the realm of politics is ridden with hidden agendas and can hinder the
important issues in climate change.
Personally, I’ve learnt that there can’t be an ultimate
reversal in climate change, we’ve hit limit after limit in terms of global
warming and carbon emissions. But we do have the potential to mitigate
effectively – I believe that a convergence of the technological, natural and
political worlds correctly will allow us to respond to climate change the way
we should, and effectively so.
I hope you, as I greatly have, learnt something from this
blog!
