Challenges of Mitigating Climate Change
Climate change mitigation and mitigating its effects requires an understanding of climate change, its impact on the economic, social, and political aspects of a society, and an unwavering commitment to the process of mitigation. So far, there is an understanding of what climate change is and how to solve it; however, mitigating the effects of climate change has proved to be a challenge. To be successful in mitigating the effects of climate change, it is important that we fully understand the challenges facing today’s society in the mitigating process.
Climate change and its effects is a global problem that requires global solutions. The international organizations that deal with the effects of climate change have around one hundred and ninety-four members. Subsequently, it is very challenging for such a large number to reach a consensus. Moreover, it is even more difficult for all members to commit to changing the process of driving the economy (Carrington). All member nations have to be fully committed to the process for it to be successful. However, for this to be realized the nation giants China and the US have to give leadership by showing full commitment. The powerful nations do not seem as invested in the climate crisis that threatens to be disastrous in the future.
Low-carbon energy is the main solution to climate change but there is comfort in using cheap alternative, fossil fuel, which aggravates the problem by emitting carbons. The technologies needed to tap into renewable energy are costly and this discourages the use. However, these technologies must be subsidized to encourage use. Governments should allocate more financial resources to clean energy in comparison to fossil fuel (Carrington). Moreover, renewable energy like solar energy is a more cost-friendly way of getting electricity in peoples’ homes. There is a challenge in replacing oil as a source of energy for transport, only a change in the transport system as well as a change in vehicles will solve this problem. Commitment to overhauling the whole transport system to realize the set goals is still a challenge.
Climate change affects different industries, different countries as well as different economies with varying degrees. The success of mitigating these effects, therefore, relies on the ability of the affected to adapt. Subsequently, these differences control the reactions and actions of the affected to look and commit to solutions. Coastal regions are predisposed to suffer more from the effects of climate change and are therefore more committed to the mitigating process (America’s Climate Choices). However, other regions might not feel the urgency and in turn lack the urgency to commit fully, this poses a challenge to the mitigating process.
Greenhouse gas emissions equipment and infrastructure are part of the running of most economies. Moreover, most industries are driven by GHG emitting equipment, that is, transportation, buildings and many more. Governments and individuals have to work hand-in-hand to reduce GHG emissions. However, the market incentives of using cheap fuel pose a challenge in the transformative process that is needed to fight climate change permanently (America’s Climate Choices). Furthermore, the tools that emit GHG have long life spans and can be of service for several years. It is therefore hard to convince governments or individuals to replace this equipment with equipment that emits less.
The climate system is complex and takes a long time to change and adapt, it might take decades or millenniums to respond fully to certain effects. Subsequently, we might not see the changes take full effect in a timely fashion. The climate system takes long periods, decade or millenniums to heat up and this translates to sea level rise as well as ice sheets melting. A myopic view of the climate system might cause one to underestimate the dire effects that loom long-term. The challenge we face in mitigating the effects of climate change currently is the slow process it takes to register the seriousness comprehensively due to the different aspects mentioned.