The Greenhouse Effect and the Economy – What Can Be Done?

Posted on January 25, 2015 By

By Karl W. Böer, PH.D.

The effects of increased greenhouse gases in our atmosphere are already influencing the lives of Americans, and determining which effects are most critical requires careful analysis. Let’s take a look at two of these effects and then discuss the steps necessary to counter them.

Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather is the greenhouse effect most directly influencing our lives, with higher temperatures in spring and summer; more droughts in some areas, sometimes resulting in catastrophic fires; torrential rains in other areas, sometimes resulting in catastrophic flooding; increasing winds and much more powerful hurricanes; and, in the winter, much longer cold spells with lower, subfreezing temperatures and increased snowfall. These weather events have become more extreme from year to year. Because of the increase in weather-related property damage, insurance policies often do not cover the costs and the government must step in to assist.

There is insufficient information for citizens to understand the urgency of responding to increasingly extreme weather events. This should be corrected!

Information should be straightforward and convincing, communicating all observations of extreme weather and explaining what science derives from the observations. Only then can we determine what needs to be done and in what sequence.

In the meantime, people and property should be protected from the damaging effects of weather extremes. Some strategies include:

• Construct hurricane-proof buildings;
• Build hurricane-proof shelters in homes and municipal buildings;
• Eliminate flammable plantings close to buildings;
• Make buildings more fire-resistant;

We must write to our newly elected local and federal officials and encourage them to carefully consider their votes related to climate change, support tax incentives for energy efficiency, and encourage deployment of alternative energy resources such as solar panels and wind generators. We must help educate all members of Congress to take these issues seriously and urge each one of them to vote responsibly. There is no more time for procrastination, political gamesmanship, or gridlock.