Various Viewpoints on Climate Change - Research Paper Example

Climate Change Regulation Various Viewpoints on Climate Change For the last decade, there have been climatic changes caused by changes in the Earth’s orbit, sun’s intensity, volcanic eruptions and increased greenhouse gases concentrations in the atmosphere. Collectively, this has resulted to global warming which is now declared a global disaster. However, for the climatic change which is solely believed to be the cause of the global warming, different viewpoints have arisen (USEPA, 2010). For instance, some say that the climatic change that is globally warming up the world is an implausible theory and is much less worrying than those policies which have been proposed on it. It is argued that there is little scientific evidence and claiming that the 20th century is the warmest in the last millennium is only on the basis of methodological errors occurring when handling complex data. Also in argument, if the computer models used in future warming prediction were realistic, there would have been more warming that the miniscule rise over the past 40 years. However, some people believe that international energy companies should play a major role in curtailing climatic change. It is believed that since these companies successfully fuel the world with coal and oil successfully fuel the world, energy demands will continue to be on the rise. It is argued that these companies should manage their carbon dioxide emissions, collaborate with the government and research institutions to come up with alternative cost-effective to fossil fuels such as solar and biomass to help in transition to a world that does not depend on the fossil fuels. It is also believed that climatic change is threatening to reverse the human progress. This is because the changes are worsening the human conditions and forcing persons to work in climate unfriendly environments thus a threat in burning down decades of work to reverse the global poverty and progress built by governments, community and development agencies. My Viewpoint on Climate Change Personally, I believe that climate changes occurring are real and the resultant global warming is real too. Ample research conducted particularly by Oceanography, Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii prove that climatic changes and global warming has been taking place for the last 30 to 50 years (ICR, 2007). I also believe that the curbing climatic changes should be a collective responsibility. This is because it is evidenced that almost 100% of climatic changes have been caused by greenhouse gas concentrations like carbon dioxide, ozone and water, gases which are emitted by companies and individuals with or without the knowledge of how detrimental they can be (TFC, 2010). Nevertheless, the resultant effects, affects everyone. For instance, climatic changes observed in United States such as heavy downpours, rapid retreating glaciers, lengthening growing seasons among others can adversely affect crops, livestock and is a threat to human health (USGCRP, 2010). Command and Control Regulations versus Incentive Based Regulations The United stated government is addressing climatic change issues by expanding the suite of command and control regulation. Through Clean Air Act, surveys, investigation and experiments on greenhouse gases is conducted. All new plants are also expected to abide to the new source performance standard. Most importantly, local government enforces the Clean Act by issuing permits, monitoring compliance and conducting inspections (EOE, 2010). The government is also administering public-private partnership with the focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency among others to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States government also extensively engages in international climatic change activities in mitigation, environmental monitoring and science. USA government has also undertaken regulatory actions such as monitoring on the utility carbon dioxide emissions and improving appliance efficacy. Through the energy policy Act, 2005, a voluntary national program was specifically designed to deploy less carbon intensive technology and encourage voluntary green houses gas reductions. There is also the research bill which encouraged climatic change research. There is also diffusion or deployment strategies such as technology investment tax incentives in attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is also a permit program that requires companies to indicate, gases to be releases, their amount and the measures the company is going to take (EOE, 2010). While command and control are valuable policy tools, incentives are becoming popular in addressing climatic changes. Market incentives such as taxes, fees and charges are reduced to those releasing less pollution and fees such as waste water discharged and solid waste disposal fees charged. Subsidies such as low interest loans, procurement mandates and favorable tax treatment are given to companies that release less environmental friendly gases. There are also trading regimes and voluntary programs to encourage companies to be more environmental responsible. Advantages and Disadvantages a. Advantages of command and control regulations: Command and control tools are valuable policy tools in solving environment problems. They are a pragmatic approach where there is uncertainty concerning the pollution effects on the environment. The political costs of standards are low in comparison with the incentive based instruments. They are simple and widely used. b. Disadvantages of command and control regulations: Firms are only encouraged to reduce harmful emissions to a regulated level hence not effective in greenhouses gas eradication. They are excessively rigid hence insensitive to technological and geographical differences. Penalties for violating the standards are too low and enforcement is weak. c. Advantages of incentives: Address a wide range of environmental issues from the acid rains to climate changes. Contain monetary to encourage reduction of harmful pollutants by polluting entities. The incentives are cost saving hence translating into cost saving for consumers buying the products resulting to lower social costs. d. Disadvantages of incentives: Firms are likely to reduce emissions only when it is financially valuable for them. They pose equity concerns hence inappropriate for dealing with environmental issues. Some incentives such as fees and taxes charges do not guarantee air pollution reduction as only those who pollute are penalized. Advocated regulations in the Federal Congress or Administration The Federal congress should come up with win-win regulations for both the environment and economic recovery. As they invest in clean technology such as low carbon transport and energy systems, they should also ensure the economic stimulus packages does not lock in polluting energy technologies or dirty production and consumption modes in order to leverage the economic crisis. Policies such as keeping gasoline prices constant and subsidies on electricity and liquefied natural gases should be reviewed. These are unfair and inefficient policies as it has been evidenced that the subsidy benefits the well off people. The Finance Ministry should redesign and reform taxes and price instrument which are key tools in promoting green growth and ensuring that the shift from economies to low carbon future is well mitigated. The government should also put a price on the greenhouse gases emissions by coming up with emissions trading carbon taxes to discourage the behavior that generates such emissions and encourage low carbon options investment (OECD, 2009). References: Encyclopedia of Earth (2010). Clean Air Act, United States. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Clean_Air_Act,_United_States Encyclopedia of Earth (2010). Climate change legislation in the 109th United States Congress. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Climate_change_legislation_in_the_109th_United_States_Congress Institute for Creation Research (2007). Evidence for Global Warming. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.icr.org/article/evidence-for-global-warming/ OECD (2009). Towards a Green Economy: Policies to Tackle Climate Change. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.oecd.org/document/36/0,3343,en_2649_37465_43544996_1_1_1_1,00.html Time for Change (2010).Cause and effect for global warming. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.timeforchange.org/cause-and-effect-for-global-warming United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010). Past Climate Change. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/pastcc.html United States Global Change Research Program (2010). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Retrieved on 9th September, 2010 from: http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts Read More