Nov 1, 2017
Dr. Richard Nolthenius has a background in thermal engineering and astronomy. He currently runs the Astronomy Program at Cabrillo College, Santa Cruz California. He also lecturers and has been a visiting researcher for UC Santa Cruz since 1987. He describes his professional transition in to climate science as “quite a shock, not necessarily a pleasant one”!
Dr. Nolthenius suggests that Professor Tim Garrett’s work on linking global wealth and energy consumption has not been given the attention it deserves, Dr. Nolthenius also concludes that the only way to advert the increasingly critical climate change situation is in line with Prof. Garretts publications and therefore requires sharp, rapid cuts to our use of fossil fuels.
To achieve this end Dr. Nolthenius has compiled a list of 7 Policy Mechanisms which he will discuss in Part one. These include:
Dr. Nolthenius explains exactly what the above may involve, and discusses ideas for getting them implemented with a million person Occupy DC movement.
In Part Two Dr. Nolthenius highlights potential technological ‘band aids’ (and their short falls) which could potentially be implemented alongside the Policy Mechanisms discussed in Part 1. These include:
Dr. Nolthenius also points out how even if we ended all our carbon emissions today, the effect of Thermal Inertia would still cause global temperatures to rise.
Part 3 covers GeoEngineering including:
Finally, in Part 3 Dr. Nolthenius takes some time to explain how economics is related to climate change, and why we need to stop our obsession with Growth. The work of Prof. Tim Garrett / “The Garrett Relation” is expanded upon and discussed.
Reference is made by Dr Noltheius to "E.C.S", although not covered in the series this stands for Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity. More information on this is available in Dr Noltheniuss presentation 'Earth Climate Change in One (very long) Lecture' available here: https://www.dr-ricknolthenius.com/Apowers/ClimateInOne19a.pdf
Many thanks to Dr Richard Nolthenius for joining me for this 3-part series, I hope I can discuss more issues with him in the future. I highly recommend visiting his website where there is a wealth of information available: https://www.dr-ricknolthenius.com/ . His Collage lecture presentations (powerpoint and pdf versions) relevant to the topics covered can be found at: https://www.dr-ricknolthenius.com/astro7/A7PowerIndex.html .
Professor Tim Garretts work as discussed can be found here: http://www.inscc.utah.edu/~tgarrett/Economics/Economics.html
All 3 parts where recorded Friday 27th October 2017.
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Join in the discussion on my website: https://www.slipperychimp.co.uk/2017/11/01/policy-mechanisms-for-fighting-climate-change/
Hi Steven,
The point that Rick misses, in relation to the tragedy of the commons, and people 'missing out', is that it can be reversed. I gave up my corporate rat race career 15 years ago, downsized and moved from the city to a small regional township, became debt free, got rid of my car, stopped flying, started riding a bike, growing most of my food, opened a small bike repair workshop, earn less than the tax free threshold (so pay no income taxes), work 2-3 days per week and, during the quiet bike riding winter months, take off on my bike touring around australia with my musician friend and companion whilst she earns money from her performances (also less than the tax free threshold). We live an amazing life with lots of free time and see the incredibly beautiful australian countryside, whilst everyone else is burning themselves out in their 9 to 5 'jobs' trying to 'get ahead'. They frequently ask me, 'how come you get to live like you do?'. Simple, I made choices, choices that they too could make, but won't. They are always envious and feel like they are 'missing out', and the angrier ones will often defend their stupidity by saying, 'yeah, but if everyone lived like you do, who would build the roads.' My stock answer is, 'I ride a bike, I don't need roads.' This is the tragedy of the commons in reverse, so my advice to all those out there who feel like they are missing out on living life like I do, fuck it, come join us, we'll have a ball!
Cheers
Andy