Global warming is likely the largest threat humanity has ever faced. Drought, famine, floods, political instability, and more could cost billions of lives. Already we are witnessing its effects with heat waves, severe storms, and disruption of agriculture in countries already facing food shortages. Clearly we have to take drastic action and get our CO2 parts per million below 350. This will require massive investment in alternative energy, strict regulations on green house gasses, and strong enforced international treaties.
Figuring out what to do is the easy part. The hard part is getting it done politically. It is hard to get the political process or the American people on board to combat threats that seem distant. Many seem to think the answer is to frame the debate around energy. It is reasoned that people will respond to their economic interests and will be more likely to support a bill promising that we will get off foreign oil than one to tackle climate change. I disagree. If we frame global warming as an energy issue, congress will be reluctent to move on the legislation we need.
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