The Consequences of Climate Change - Part II of II

Lester opened Part II by emphasizing that the costs of "Global Climate Change" are not accounted for in today's finance and economics.  The pumping of "Greenhouse Gasses" into the environment by corporations, governments, and individuals is unaccounted for.  It is simply "not-on-the-books".  It is not in the "Cost Accounting". We treat the atmosphere as a "Free Good".  "Global Climate Change", however, has economic ramifications - increased tropical storms, droughts, floods, heat waves, offshore oil spills, and species endangerment . These economic ramifications or costs should be reflected in our present finance and economics.  This reflection would encourage the move away from "Greenhouse Gas Production" and perhaps even preserve "Biodiversity" essential to future scientific research and development.

It is not known when we will reach the "Tipping Point".  This is the point in time where the effects "Global Climate Change" become irreversible and impervious.  We must then suffer the consequences. We will be incapable of stopping the changes.  Lester fears that the "Tipping Point" will not only be a sudden and continuing series of catastrophic events but that they will happen sooner rather than later. 

Plan B is the alternative to "Business-As-Usual".  There are four components:  1. Cut "Carbon Emissions" by 80% by 2020.  2. Stabilize population at no more than 8,000,000,000.  3. Eradicating poverty.  4. Restoring the earth's natural systems forests, soils, grasslands, acquirers, fisheries, etc.  This comprehensive integrated plan is ambitious and requires unprecedented leadership and cooperation among nations.  The documentary then examined each point in detail.

What can we do as individuals?  Lester says this is the question he is asked the most.  He said folks expect him to say things like recycle your newspapers and change your light bulbs.  The fact of the matter, however, is that the scope of the problem is so large that these kinds of activities are really just "Feel Good Activities" and have virtually no impact on the problem.  We are way passed simple solutions.  What is required is a restructuring of the "Global Economy".  He urges individuals to bind together to become "Politically Active" on all issues environmental.

After the documentary, our group discussion was decidedly negative.  The forces favoring the status quo are powerful and the changes required for Plan B are just overwhelmingly great.  In addition, some of the scientific facts Lester relied on in his arguments were incorrect.  Notably, the melting of the Himalayan Glaciers.  They are, in fact, stable and even growing in places.  It was our belief Plan B could never happen without some defining, undeniable, catastrophic environmental event requiring the world to act.  When, and if, that happened it would probably be on the other side of the "Tipping Point".  The group's conclusion was for each of us to prepare ourselves and our children for the consequences of "Global Climate Change".  It appears inevitable.