My philosophy on climate change policy resembles a combination of the three lenses described by Parker and Blodgett in the CRS Report for Congress: the “technological lens,” the “economic lens,” and the “ecological lens.” Each lens has a different view of the global climate change problem. The technological lens views climate change as an opportunity to create more efficient technology; the economic lens views climate change as a global market where the solution lies within internalizing externalities associated with pollution; the ecological lens views the global climate change problem as an individual and societal behavior problem influenced by the values of materialism and industrialization.
Kyoto--wear the change you want to see.
I believe the collaboration of these lenses will bring about change in our society. New, more efficient technology will be necessary to continue an industrialized lifestyle and to help the world adapt to the changes associated with global warming. The world must recognize the practicality in involving economic incentives to reduce carbon emissions. Not every individual will make green decisions without these incentives. Not every nation will make green investments without an economic return. But most importantly, the ecological lens advocates for environmental education to help societies and individuals make responsible choices in favor of reducing emissions.
The problem is multi-lateral. Global warming affects the industrial sector, economics, and behavioral patterns. Each lens has something to contribute to the efforts to hinder and to adapt to the changes happening to our environment. Only through collaboration of engineers, economists and ecologists will the environmental movement have enough leverage to create the necessary changes to our greenhouse gas emissions.
Tags: climate change education, ecological lens, Grace Lange, US Energy Policy
