Note: Stabilizing the Planet’s Pulse
Perspective on the Climate Crisis
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, Key and Title by uploader (Eric Fisk), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
There is a lot of bad news when it comes to climate news. However, not everyone views climate change with the same perspective. Climate researcher, Rob Jackson of Stanford University is a paragon change when it comes to climate science. As he explains in his interview from ACS Central Science (from the American Chemical Society),
“… We’ve blown by the 1.5 °C temperature threshold, and we’re sprinting toward 2 °C. … But we have gone so long without cutting emissions that we now need both. Mitigation first, always. And we’re going to need to pull some greenhouse gases out of the air, I believe, to keep a habitable planet. …” (Bourzac).
In spite of the dour realities, Jackson is an optimist. He believes there is still hope. Some would argue in an era of climate denialism and conspiracy theories, understanding the realities of climate change must come first. Jackson sees the world in a way many should embrace. In a fairly recent book titled, Into the Clear Blue Sky, Jackson states his case for what he believes the common man can do to help save the beleagured planet. Namely, he flatly states flying is one of the most negatively impactful technologies that humanity engages in on a consistent basis. Thus, reduce your flying. Secondly, complete electrification of the power grid would help save us, as well. Moreover, the use of gas-burning appliances are a major issue when it comes to poisoning the climate. I quote from article once again,
“Our (gas) stoves (and water heaters) emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas; benzene, a carcinogen; and nitrogen oxide gases, which are an asthma trigger” (Bourzac).
Other ways to save our planet include, substituting electric vehicles for gasoline vehicles. While the complete electricfication of the economy will take time (as Jackson admits), we cannot afford to do nothing.
Katherine Bourzac, “A Conversation with Rob Jackson.” ACS Central Science 2024 10 (7), 1304-1306 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.4c01007
Jackson, Rob. Into the Clear Blue Sky : The Path to Restoring Our Atmosphere. First Scribner hardcover edition, Scribner, 2024.