The Economist: How to Deal with Climate Change

compared with the low-key Copenhagen global climate summit a year ago, people have lost more confidence in the United nations framework convention on climate change to be held in Cancun next week. On the one hand, last year's summit ended in failure, and on the other hand, public expectations have plummeted. After the Copenhagen climate summit, more people think that it is difficult for countries to reach an agreement on climate change. Maybe after several abnormal climate disasters, it can help to promote the solution of climate change. Difficulties in reaching an agreement on climate issues do not mean indifference. In the history of evolution, organisms have been constantly trying to adapt to the changes of climate and environment, but unfortunately, adaptation often ends in large-scale death. Humans are luckier than most species, and we can think and cope with the changes that will happen. Faced with the current climate change situation, we need to take action. Although the current pace of reducing emissions is steady, by the end of this century, the earth's temperature is likely to be at least 3 degrees Celsius higher than that in the early industrial revolution era. Heat wave attacks have become a common occurrence. Biological system will change with climate change, which may lead to species endangerment. Rainfall will intensify in some areas, bringing flood disasters; In arid areas, the problem of drought is aggravated, which may make these areas desertification. Two-stage glaciers will accelerate melting in summer, which will lead to the impermanence of frozen soil and the continuous rise of sea level. Climate change will undoubtedly bring disaster to most areas, and droughts and floods will kill countless people, especially developing countries. Some people think that the best way to protect global warming is the prosperity of the global economy. In the face of climate change, people can move or plant another crop. As people become richer and healthier, they can afford the rising food prices, invest in inventing new agricultural technologies and move to more livable areas. Developed economies are less dependent on agriculture and therefore less vulnerable to climate change. But economic development can't solve the climate problem easily. Many developing countries concentrate on economic development, and the problem of climate change cannot stop their economic development. With regard to climate change, developed countries should take more responsibility for solving climate problems and help poor countries develop. This is not out of humanism, but out of fairness. After all, developed countries are the chief culprit of the current climate problem. In addition, relying on economic development to solve climate problems has another drawback. Although economic development can protect poor countries from climate disasters, it may accelerate the deterioration of climate problems. With the development of economy, developing countries need more energy consumption. Faced with this problem, developed countries can lend a helping hand and provide green energy technology to developing countries. This will enable developing countries to meet their resource needs from renewable energy sources such as wind energy, hydropower and solar energy. In addition to encouraging sustainable economic development, the government should pay special attention to infrastructure, resettlement and food supply. The Netherlands has hundreds of years of experience in preventing flood disasters, and has planned to carry out infrastructure to reduce flood disasters caused by sea level rise. In addition, the government needs to assess the impact of climate change on cities, including high temperature, heavy rainfall, severe hurricanes and sea level rise. Moreover, with the aggravation of climate problems, people may need to resettle in other countries, and developed countries can absorb immigrants from developing countries. For vulnerable areas that are vulnerable to climate change, such as Florida coastal areas, the government should reduce insurance subsidies for these areas and encourage people to move out of vulnerable areas. Food supply is a crucial issue. In order to cope with climate change, people need more drought-resistant crop seeds, which requires genetic technology and government funding. Besides seeds, better soil protection, planting techniques and weather forecast are needed. The global crop market should strive to develop in a more stable direction to ensure a stable food supply, which means that the government needs to reach a consensus on abolishing agricultural protectionism. However, none of this can ensure that people can successfully control climate change, which is still the craziest experiment in human history. At least in the foreseeable future, mercury in thermometers will continue to rise, and human beings can only try their best to fight climate problems. (Anji)