Dickinson to Durban » Entries tagged with "Dani Thompson"
The Stern Review: Economics gets a heart
By Dani Thompson ’12 The Stern Review on the economics of climate change is a 600+ page document published in 2006 by British economist, Sir Nicholas Stern. In an article published by The First Post in 2006, Stern admitted that up until 2005, less a year before the report was published, “[I] had an idea what the green house effect was but wasn’t really sure.” although shortly after beginning to compile the report he was, “convinced that this was a really big and fundamental issue.” (Full article here). Of course, I will not disagree with the latter statement, but I am always weary to read reports on climate change issues which are drawn up by non-scientists or environmentally concerned persons. This concern is based on personal experience, having read report after … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
Climate Policy for Dummies
By Dani Thompson ’12 climate change lingo The “Lingo” All definitions below are based on usage in terms of U.S. climate change policy… Market-based approach: A way to control and/or regulate carbon emissions via the economic system. This approach is used in contrast to traditional regulations such as those imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Cap-and-trade: A market-based approach to lower CO2 emissions by distributing carbon “pollution permits”. These permits can be bought, traded, and sold among all parties involved. The number of permits available will be limited so that a “cap” of total carbon emissions will be established. This cap can be lowered to further minimize emissions in the future. In this approach amount of emissions is certain, but cost of permits is not. (Keohane) Safety valve: An optional addition to the cap-and-trade approach which would … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
Is something better than nothing?
The first major paper I completed at Dickinson College was one entitled, “A New Atmosphere for International Relations: Working together to solve a global crisis”. It was an essay written for a 100 level international relations course in which I discussed the COP15 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. In my response, I held a very pessimistic view that there would not be a significant change in policy as a result of the conference. While what I predicted turned out to be fairly accurate, I can almost promise that my opinion did not have a very strong foundation in background information. I was not even an environmental studies major at the time and to be honest, I’m pretty sure that for a while I thought the acronym COP was in reference to the fact that … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
One trillion dollars…okay, deal! Wait, what?
Last week, the COP17 mosaic crew came together with a group of first year students to try to save the world! Using the climate interactive system C-LEARN, we were able to simulate climate negotiations much like those we will be attending at the end of November. At the risk of sounding redundant and possibly (accidentally, of course) plagiarizing some of my very articulate classmates, I will point to posts written by Tim Damon and Maggie Rees for a more detailed description of the simulation. Also, check out the short video below for a good overview of the purpose/significance of climate interactive as told by one of the organizations founders, Peter Senge. Our negotiation simulation (say that ten times fast!) provided me with an excess of epiphany’s regarding the complex relationships and details … Read entire article »
Filed under: Summer Reading Responses
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