The Economist: How to Deal with Climate Change

Compared with the low-key Copenhagen global climate summit a year ago, people lose confidence in the meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Cancun next week. On the one hand, last year's summit ended in failure, on the other hand, public expectations also plummeted. After the Copenhagen climate summit, more people think that it is difficult for countries to reach an agreement on climate change. Perhaps after several abnormal climate disasters, it can help to promote the solution of climate change. Difficulties in reaching an agreement on climate issues do not mean indifference. In the evolutionary history, organisms have been trying to adapt to the changes of climate and environment, but unfortunately, adaptation often ends in mass death. Humans are luckier than most species, and we can think about and cope with the changes that will happen. Facing the current climate change situation, we need to take action. Although the current pace of emission reduction is steady, by the end of this century, the temperature of the earth is likely to be at least 3 degrees Celsius higher than that in the early days of the industrial revolution. Heat wave attacks have become a common occurrence. Biological systems will change with climate change, which may lead to endangered species. Rainfall will intensify in some areas, bringing floods; In arid areas, the problem of drought is aggravated, which may make these areas desertification. Two-stage glaciers will accelerate melting in summer, leading to impermanence of frozen soil and rising sea level. Climate change will undoubtedly bring disaster to most areas, and droughts and floods will kill countless people, especially developing countries. Some people think that the best way to protect global warming is the prosperity of the global economy. In the face of climate change, people can migrate or plant another crop. As people become richer and healthier, they can afford rising food prices, invest in inventing new agricultural technologies and move to more livable areas. Developed economies are less dependent on agriculture, so they are less vulnerable to climate change. But economic development cannot easily solve the climate problem. Many developing countries focus on economic development, and climate change can't stop their economic development. With regard to climate change, developed countries should take more responsibility for solving climate problems and help poor countries develop. This is not out of humanism, but out of fairness. After all, the developed countries are the chief culprits of the current climate problems. In addition, relying on economic development to solve the climate problem has another drawback. Although economic development can protect poor countries from climate disasters, it may accelerate the deterioration of climate problems. With the development of economy, developing countries need more energy consumption. Faced with this problem, developed countries can lend a helping hand and provide green energy technology to developing countries. This will enable developing countries to meet their resource needs through renewable energy such as wind energy, hydropower and solar energy. In addition to encouraging sustainable economic development, the government should pay special attention to infrastructure, resettlement and food supply. The Netherlands has hundreds of years of experience in preventing flood disasters, and has planned to build infrastructure to reduce flood disasters caused by sea level rise. In addition, the government needs to assess the impact of climate change on cities, including high temperatures, heavy rains, severe hurricanes and sea level rise. Moreover, with the aggravation of climate problems, people may need to relocate in other countries, and developed countries can absorb immigrants from developing countries. For vulnerable areas vulnerable to climate change, such as Florida coastal areas, the government should reduce insurance subsidies to these areas and encourage people to move out of vulnerable areas. Food supply is a crucial issue. In order to cope with climate change, people need more drought-resistant crop seeds, which requires genetic technology and government funding. Besides seeds, better soil protection, planting techniques and weather forecast are needed. The global crop market should strive to develop in a more stable direction to ensure a stable food supply, which means that the government needs to reach a consensus on abolishing agricultural protectionism. However, none of these can ensure that people can successfully control climate change, which is still the craziest experiment in human history. At least in the foreseeable future, the mercury content in thermometers will continue to rise, and human beings can only try their best to fight climate problems. (Anji)