The Problems of Reliance on Technology to Solve Climate Change
We humans are directly related to climate change through the knowledge of the ways that atmospheric matter and energy have been altered by the pollution created by the application of modern technology. This relationship is primarily understood by scientists and technologist. Because scientists understand these connections, we look to them to solve the problems of atmospheric pollution primarily through technology. But we are unwilling to recognize that technology cannot solve the problems of climate change that the technology created. The goods and services that define modern life and civilization are in good part the result of the technology of the application of fossil fuels. And that technology has given us longer life, better health, more goods, welcomed luxuries, ways of travel, communicating, and the material lives that differentiate us from all of our pre-20th century ancestors. But, largely through climate change we now know that it those same fossil fuels technology that pollute soils, degrade fresh and sea water and decimate the biosphere.
Again we look to the technologists to come up with the answers of how to make our lives better through technologies to eliminate atmospheric pollution that threatens the very goods and services made available through their genius. And they are extraordinarily successful in showing ways in which technology can solve many of the physical and chemical problems associated with climate change.
But , even if those solutions are really valid, they all come with a big “IF.” That big if depends on whether or not society can come up with the ways to implement the necessary political, economic, and social changes required by the new technologies. As of today, political, economic, and social will has not yet resulted in much more than talk.
The Republican leadership has been to deny or, at best, ignore climate change. The Democrats, while accepting the evidence of a changing climate, show little leadership in educating the public to the necessity of tackling the problem immediately. Even most advocates of Green energy emphasize substituting renewable energy for fossil fuel energy so that we can continue a good life with the goods and services most of us now have or desire.
We, the people, want to continue the benefits of modern civilization. Maybe we emphasize getting those benefits to others in our society or world but not at our own loss. We do not want to experience the rapid changes necessary to implement the the “big if.” Therefore politicians and economists do not lead in supporting implementing even the known technological changes necessary to slow, let alone, stop the devastating changes due to climate warming.
The science is known. The technology probably is known. But the political, social, and economic will to change our current ways of doing things is not. Possibly even more important, the time needed to avoid reaching tipping points that result in unpredictable changes within the Earth’s natural systems is not available. Hope we will find a way is false.
So what might we do in addition to the noble attempts to recycle, protect nature, drive electric cars, insulate our homes and factories, redistribute our wealth, or the many other ways to save our environment? Because I believe that we will not overcome the “big if,” our civilization is bound to collapse in unpredictable ways. I think that we must prepare our youth to live