Most Pressing Challenge of Environment

In my opinion, the most pressing challenge facing the global environment is coordinating the activities of world governments. The science is out there as it is, and while there are still those that question the validity of the concept of Global Warming, I would say that there is a consensus among most people that the climate is changing. Scientists have projections (based on what we know as of now) on what will happen, from a best-possible scenario to a worst-case scenario, and based on the readings, there are general theories about what to do, even if some of the damage is irreversible. Drilling into ice cores, long-term studies, and observations of ice sheets are confirming that the planet is changing, so we already know what is happening, and what can be done to minimize the effects (being that some of the damage appears permanent). On this front, we know what is wrong, and we have ideas of what to do about it, but the real part of the solution comes down plainly to tackling the solution—otherwise, the problem is still there. It is simple.

We could have some type of enormous problem that could drastically alter the planet forever, and while some may point to it as being the worst challenge, the true challenge is doing something about it, and the true worst problem would be if countries simply failed to respond. It would be like the Titanic spotting the ice berg from a far distance, and not reacting at all. If nothing is done to mitigate a disaster, it will be much worse. Physics. You hit the brakes in a car when you sense a collision because a crash at 30mph is better than at 60 mph.

What makes this more frightening and supports that this is the most pressing challenge is the fact that as of now, governments have failed to do much beyond token measures. It is true that steps have been taken, such as the new mileage limits imposed by the Obama Administration, but these will take time to implement, and time for old cars to gradually be replaced. World climate summits have virtually failed, and I do not see any type of cooperation at all in the future. Not to be a pessimist, but the professor was correct in labeling people as occupying the world of the economy. The economy dominates, and all countries want to better themselves. Developing countries want to maintain high rates of growth to bring their people out of poverty, and developed countries want to regain growth to satisfy their understandably upset populations following the Great Recession. No one in this environment (no pun intended) wants to now slow down their economic growth rates for the sake of the environment. Developing countries would justifiably be angry about slowing down their industrialization, because those countries, or any country for that matter, does not want to be told to impede its own growth, especially because they see the current environmental mess as a byproduct of Western industrialization. So looking at it as a whole, the concept that nothing or little will be done seems like a possibility. It appears as if no one is doing much to at least minimize potential losses.

What I have not understood is why politicians do not transform the environment into a business. Especially since economic growth is needed, it would make sense to pour massive amounts of money into developing green infrastructure. It would stimulate the economy and bolster a currently small segment of American business. A whole new major industry could be created, and being that the United States has the most advanced economy in the world, it would appear we would have a comparative advantage to produce such technology, and even boost trade because we can export that technology overseas and take advantage of the fact that there are relatively few major players in that market. There is money to be made with every challenge, and if it is the economy that drives the world, people should sell environmentalism not as some high-moral concept (Although saving the world does deserve to be placed high on a set of morals and values) that some people stereotypically see it, but rather as a business opportunity.