The place we live and climate change

Originally written on Feb 3, 2007

Debates abound about what should be done, who should do what and when should one start. Be it demand-side conservation, or supply-side emission abatement, everyone can help slow and stablize the warming process and we should start now. But some may ask why: why should we do this, why don't China and India cut emissions and we have to do it, and why start now?

Fictional scenario:
- Imagine the following: everyone lives around a pond. The pond is where everyone gets water from and dumps waste. On one side of the pond, some live a good life at the expense of creating both organic and inorganic waste, all dumped into the pond. Those who are poor are trying to catch up, also dumping into the pond. The pond used to be full of life, with clear water. Fish used to be able to digest some of the waste, but the waste is just too much. The water turns yellow. People on both sides of the pond blame the other side. People keep blaming, little to nothing is done and the water turned brown. Arguments turn into fights, especially for the section of the pond with cleaner water. Those who have no access to clean water got sick and died. Irrigation no longer works...

Other potential scenarios:
- imagine living under 100F+ heat, say, for an extended time in the summer (picture India)
- imagine living in hunger, as crop yield drops, due to extreme weather, drought or heat (many are not as fortunate as us; picture Sub-Saharan Africa)
- imagine living in strife - the last generation fought for freedom; this generation fights for oil; the next generation could be fighting for water and other basic resources

What should be done:
- Demand-side conservation can start with something as little as turning off unused lights, electronics and appliances. Fuel efficiency and insulation are actually good, not only do they help the environment, but they also increase competition by introducing substitutes and entrants, spurring innovations and lower prices as demand for fuel decreases.
- Supply-side emission abatement can start with putting a price on pollution, so that emitters are more responsible with what they do and not transfer their unwanted stuff to others. (Just like with free food, people take more, but with a price, people usually get what they need.) Cap-and-trade with proper market design so far works.

Who should do what:
- Everyone can do something. Why wait for your neighbors to start when you can start now? Your energy bill would most probably go down!
- As for the India-China-not-in-complia

nce argument, it is only a bargaining strategy. China and India would actually suffer more if they don't curb emissions and they know it. Whenever I visit China now, I rarely see blue sky. Water from the tap is yellow. In India, sudden monsoon destroys crop and kills more people than in the past. Temperature in the summer is higher and sustains longer than before.
- So, show leadership, spur innovation and get the edge!

When should one start:
- Why not sooner the better? Lower energy bills translate into real savings; getting into the habit can help one weather surges in energy prices much better; getting a jump on innovations entails possible first-mover advantages, opening up new markets (or what some people called blue ocean strategy), encouraging "Creative Destruction;" starting sooner may yield benefits: the greening of Seoul in South Korea markedly lowers the city's temperature (the reduced use of air-conditioners as a result also helps curb the increase in temperature); the existing emission abatement programs of acid rain and smog in the U.S. help bring much more health, environmental and economic benefits than costs.

All in all, there is a lot that one can do, everyone can do something, mostly for limited cost, and the starting point is not too far. Now is the time.