Is Human Change the Solution to Climate Change?

The Renewable Planet » Daily Green » Blog Archives : February 2007 » Is Human Change the Solution to Climate Change?

Well it's been a week since the release of the UN's IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report that states that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal." The cause of the warming is "a very high confidence that the globally averaged net effect of human activities since 1750 is one of warming." The term "very high confidence" relates to a specific calculation that denotes a 90% probability of being correct. If this was a horse race I would bet the bank. Unfortunately gambling on our future health and survival on the planet is not something to risk losing.

Recent surveys show that consumers are willing to go green but only if the price of green products is not more than other similar "non-green" products. In fact many green products can save money if the math is understood. Compact florescent light bulbs are a great example of this. For a small up front cost the light bulb saves 60% annually on electricity costs and over the reported seven year life span reduces replacement costs as well. In future posts DailyGreen will continue to examine the barriers to human change in the fight against climate change. Send us comment with your ideas and tips for going green.

1 comments

Posted by Wealthy Geek on February 19,2007 at 10:00 AM

You're right to point out the one-time expense of environmentally friendly products eventually getting offset by the money you save using them. Another great example of this would be a dual-flush toilet. While more expensive than other types of toilets, these units are proven to use less water than even a 'low-flow' toilet and can reduce water bills by 60 percent. The technology was invented in Australia, a country forced by constant droughts to conserve water however it can.

If you want an example of a plain cheaper alternative to an environmentally unfriendly product, just think of a snow shovel. Far less expensive than a snow blower, far more environmentally friendly, and a great source of physical exercise. Why wouldn't you own one!

Does anyone else have examples?

Great blog topic, by the way. Keep up the good work.

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