The predictions of climate change provide us knowledge of the future. These predictions are not like those from a crystal ball; they are not magic. Neither are the predictions speculation nor are they opinion. The predictions are based on scientific investigation of the physics of the Earth's atmosphere, ocean, land, and ice. The predictions include the role of chemistry and biology. There are uncertainties in the predictions, but the core of the predictions, that the Earth will warm, that sea level will rise, and that the weather will change is of little doubt.
Climate change is a rising issue of importance in our day and age, and one that is threatening our global society on many levels. In the past few decades, scientists have discovered that our planet’s climate has been changing at an alarming rate. The way in which we have changed the land to accommodate ourselves is evident in many areas including farming, cities, residential areas, and production, all of these changes have had an effect on the planet. These changes are now threatening the preservation of our planet. Evidence of climate change and global warming are rapidly increasing, but our western nations’ dependency on the economy and influences of capitalism are not only making these issues worse, but almost completely stopping the need for a solution to climate change. It is increasingly apparent that our dependency on the economy and the want for profit, is considered far more important then the current state and preservation of the planet that we inhabit. The aim of this essay is to discuss the importance of climate change and to argue that the western world is too influenced by capitalism to adequately deal with the issue.
Uncertainty will always exist in scientific investigation. It is part of the process. Investigation of complex systems will often lead to new sources of uncertainty. Challenging and re-challenging models and theory with observations will not uniformly lead to reduction or simplification of uncertainty. When the uncertainty is used in the development of arguments or policy that lie outside of the realm of science, the uncertainty can always be used to keep the argument or policy from converging. Always.
We have knowledge of how the climate will change. We know that this change will offer opportunity. We must evaluate that opportunity in context with our self interest and with regard to the risk. We know that this change will prove to be one of risk for many people. We have the responsibility, therefore, to act to reduce this risk.
