Global Warming
STUDENT POST #1
The United States, as with any other developed nation, shares a responsibility in minimizing its impact on global warming. This is necessary not just for the future, but for the current era we live in. Minimizing pollution ensures that all members of society can enjoy clean drinking water or have clean air to breath. Without appropriate restrictions, we risk contaminating our sources of drinking water and the air we breathe. Contaminated drinking water also impacts the availability of food for consumption. The entire ecosystem is threatened when contamination is not kept to a minimum. Some degree of economic sacrifice is necessary to ensure the environment is protected. Should the sacrifice cripple our national economy? No. It is possible to implement policies and procedures that have a meaningful impact on pollution without bankrupting the nation. The United States can use economic incentives to motivate large corporations to find more environmentally friendly ways of conducting benefits. Additionally, the United States could offer individual’s incentives for environmentally friendly behaviors they choose to engage in, such as energy efficient appliances for their homes. To a degree, developing nations will need to be held to comparable standards as developed nations. Allowing developing nations to uninhibitedly pollute the environment will only serve to offset the positive changes that developed nations have implemented. When it comes to the environment, all nations (developed or developing) share the responsibility of ensuring they are minimally polluting the environment. China is an excellent example of a country that currently suffers the effects of unregulated pollution. On certain days, the inhabitants of major cities in China wear mask because the air is so polluted. In other words, the air the Chinese citizens breathe is so dirty that they have to take measure to breathe the air. Who would want to live in an environment where such measures or necessary? Personally, I enjoy having the ability to breath air that does not have to be filtered by a mask.
STUDENT POST 2
Every country is responsible for the damage that they do to the environment, especially developed countries. Since we produce much more carbon than any other country out there, we must limit ourselves. This might affect the government in a negative way, but it will help this generation and generations to come. Some people don’t believe I global warming, but it’s happening at a slow but steady rate. As Bjorn said the water level is rising a couple of feet every century. Even though that might sound like a little it will add up I the end. Take all the hurricanes we have been having in 2017, scientists say that it is because of global warming and as pollution increases the number of hurricanes will increase causing some of the lands to eventually go under water. I think that Bjorn statement about how much it will cost to “reduce” carbon pollution is the reason why the government will not do anything about it, is because it’s too costly. Now Al Gore saying that we should take companies that pollute too much instead of taxing people. I see where that could benefit the world and the people, but large companies will be out of business. I do think something should be done to minimize carbon pollution, but at the same time it must benefit everyone, the government included. Maybe these developing countries could come up with ways to build and grow without having way to much pollution.
STUDENT POST #3
The United States does pollute a lot, and it needs to be addressed. That being said, I tend to lean more toward Lomborg's theory/statements. If we spent money (less money vs globlal warming as he mentioned) on things that are harmful to society/humanity that we KNOW would make significant impacts, it would be logical to address those issues first. Concerning Global Warming, I think we could tax companies that are signifcantly harming the environment or provide tax breaks if certain standards are met. These standards would be have to be set and enforced consistently. I know these are pretty general statements but it is a very difficult topic to solve/comment on. I do not think you choose one or the other, I think that you need to look at all aspects and figure out what is the easiest to monitor, measure and inspect.