Goodbye!

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 4^th 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 12^th and 14^th 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!