The Cold War, Global Warming and Hope

The end of the Cold War and the collapse of Communism in the early 1990s were critically important historical turning points. I remember growing up in the 1980s and debating with friends whether or not a nuclear war was likely, and if so, what we'd do. On reflection now, I am very glad my own children won't have to worry about that particular issue nearly as much as I did.

Thinking about the Cold War also helps me to put global warming issue into perspective. Yes, it is still a monumental global challenge, but at least it is a challenge for all of the world, that will only really be resolved when the different governments actually come together to co-operate, peacefully. Just as importantly, the difference between a nuclear holocaust and global warming is quite stark, as are the time frames with which we can attempt to mitigate and prevent such outcomes.

This is a different argument than that made this morning by James Lee. He argues the fairly obvious argument that global warming may lead to greater scarcity of resources, large scale migrations and other affects that are thus likely to lead to increased conflict.

While not necessarily disagreeing with Lee's analysis, I think it is also important to point out the extent to which global warming will also serve to bind humanity together. We will all rise or fall together on this issue. Nearly all nations on earth will be affected by rising sea levels and the acidification of the oceans. Even if it takes humanity much longer than it ought, with more tragically preventable consequent damage, and yes, with Lee's concomitant conflict, ultimately, if humanity deals successfully with global warming, more than just that the resolution of that one issue will have been achieved. This would be perhaps my first source of hope that global warming will ultimately be addressed in a meaningful way.

It is also very important to note how amazingly rapidly public opinion on global warming has shifted around the world. I am not convinced that we face scientific problem in global warming as much as we face a political and social problem. The key to solving those impediments is changing public opinion. And on this front, to have gone from a complete lack of public interest and knowledge to where we are today in less than 10-15 years, gives me my second source of hope.