Climate change and its economic and human impacts were the subjects of a panel discussion on Tuesday evening in Joseph Theater at Gettysburg College.
Panelists included Dr. Sarah Principato from the college’s Environmental Studies Department and Drs. Rimvydas Baltaduonis and James O’Brien from the Department of Economics. The program was hosted by students Carter Hanson, chair of the College Democrats, and Alyssa Gubernick, president of Farm House, a College theme house focused on food and farming issues.
Dr. Principato is a geologist studying glacial geology and climate change in Iceland and elsewhere. Dr. Baltaduonis’ current research focuses on the design and behavior of electric power markets and their interaction with natural gas markets. Dr. O’Brien is an environmental economist working primarily on energy issues and environmental regulation in the United States.
In response to questions from Hanson, the conversation covered a wide array of topics from the viability of solar geoengineering as a means of controlling global warming to the impact of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on clean energy projects across the country. All three panelists agreed that the conversation today is much different than it might have been ten years ago.
“Now only about 7% of Americans are “dismissive” of the problem of global warming,” Principato commented, “according to a long term survey conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. “Most Americans acknowledge its reality and are quite concerned.”
Geoengineering projects that could lower the earth’s temperature by spreading sulfur dioxide or other materials in the atmosphere to block sunlight were mentioned early in the conversation as a “temptation,” perhaps to be avoided. Baltaduonis said such a project was possible. “$300 million a year could begin the cooling, and one country acting alone or even a private company could do it,” he said.
“But how do you turn it off?” Principato asked. All three panelists agreed that our knowledge of the potential impacts of this type of project is very incomplete at this point. “And once you start,” Baltaduonis added, “the impact of stopping would likely be catastrophic. It also would affect different countries in different and unpredictable ways.”
The expected positive impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on clean energy projects and environmental projects generally was another important topic of conversation. Both economists saw the passage of the bill as “a major turning point” in the effort to transition toward cleaner energy. “European companies are already relocating here, “ Baltaduonis said, “expecting to take advantage of some of the provisions in the new law.”
“This means internships, new jobs for you,” he added, addressing the students in the audience. “Your skills, your knowledge of economics and environmental studies will be critically important to implementing these efforts.”
Improving how we talk about climate change was another topic the panel considered. Dr. Principato suggested to “make a connection in some way with the people you are talking to.” Dr. Baltaduonis recommended focusing on the health impacts of rising temperatures and increased pollution, saying there are now touring “chambers” you can step into to breathe the air typical of Beijing for “one minute only.” Everyone understands bad air, he said.
O’Brien said “the long-term answer is an investment in science education that will allow people to better understand the policy implications of these problems. Ultimately, the solution lies in better policy and not so much in individual actions.”
Will Lane, a founding member of Green Gettysburg and the Green Gettysburg Book Club, is a Lecturer in English and Affiliated Faculty Member with Environmental Studies at Gettysburg College.
Well, this was a good effort and important topic, but the VERY last line is terribly disappointing. I beg to differ! Individual actions are critical to success of any policies. We must raise consciousness, do the creative problem-solving, and take action! Never underestimate the power of small acts.