By Joe English

Arguably the most dire issue of the modern era, global climate change has been a topic of heated debates, endless research, and Congressional deliberation.  In the United States, some factions of the public, media, and government advocate adoption of green policies while others cling willfully to old habits.  Understanding the effects and status of climate change, learning the key positions on the issues, and taking reformative action are vital steps in the process of addressing climate change.

Before making major policy decisions, it is crucial that Americans understand the research, effects, and outlook of climate change.  Centering on decades of observable environmental changes, climate change theory asserts that natural weather fluctuations and human development are drastically altering habitats, increasing global temperatures (see image 1), and polarizing weather conditions.[1]  Additionally, Earth’s oceans are warming (see image 2) and growing more acidic, harming marine life and, therefore, ocean-dependent commerce.[2]  Frozen water in glaciers and ice caps are melting as a result of these changes, disrupting countless cold-weather habitats, rising sea levels, and threatening the viability of major coastal cities like New York, Miami, New Orleans, Boston, and others.³ Added together, the effects of climate change pose immeasurable threats to global and domestic security in the short and long term.[3]  However, if the United States adopts policies to reduce human contribution to climate change, it can significantly mitigate many dangerous side-effects the world will face in years to come.

Going into the general election, two positions on climate change are dominant: that climate change is an insignificant issue with little scientific backing; or that climate change is a pertinent, dire issue that requires immediate reform.  Republican officials tend to adopt the first ideology, seeking to reduce attention and spending on reform. Rick Perry, a prominent republican and governor of Texas, declared last year that “there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their [climate change] projects.” [4]  Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney took a similar stance and stated “I’m not in this race to slow the rise of oceans or to heal the planet.”[5]  Democrats, on the other hand, adopt a more reformative stance through cap and trade efforts and green energy research—measures championed mainly by John Kerry and Joe Lieberman.[6]  President Barack Obama, a democrat, agreed to implement measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions through the 2009 Copenhagen Accord and stated that “[The United States] can’t have an energy strategy for the last century that traps us in the past.”[7] Overall, while the government is funding some research and reform, the nation is divided on the validity of climate change, the correct approach to dealing with the issue, and creating a single, national stance.

In light of the extensive research and future outlook of climate change, it is safest to side with the liberal side of the debate.  Therefore, the most effective policy option is to develop a more aggressive domestic program that would increase green energy research and limit greenhouse gas emission. Currently, the United States is channeling over $20 billion into green energy research and has implemented a variety of pollution limits through the American Clean Energy and Security Act.[8]  Congress needs to increase these efforts and design greater incentives for companies to “go green.” Not only will this forcibly limit American harmful contributions to climate change, it will benefit corporations who comply with the regulations.  Creating a domestic policy also allows the United States government to retain autonomy over its standards, incentives, and regulations instead of transferring this control to international groups.  This preserves America’s dominion over its own people and businesses, limiting violations of sovereignty from foreign actors.  Finally, by increasing funding for research, Congress will enable America to become the trailblazer for modern technology and innovation once more.

One of the most pressing issues of the day, global climate change has spurred countless studies, debates, and reforms in recent decades. Major disagreements exist on the validity of climate change and the correct approach to reform, and partisanship plays a major role in the debate.  However, revamping domestic reform through green energy spending and emission limits will be the most effective policy for reform.