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Title: Can the carbon dioxide problem be resolved

Abstract

The combustion of fossil fuels increases atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/). This may cause a long-term warming of the atmosphere. Solutions to the CO/sub 2/ problem are particularly difficult because adverse effects will be felt by future generations, but remedial action and sacrifices must be made by present generations. Decisions regarding the problem which affect both the immediate and long-range future must be made deliberately or by default in perhaps only 15 to 20 years, before we are reasonably confident of our knowledge of the problem and before we know whether atmospheric warming will, in fact, occur. Empirical and evaluative data do not seem compelling to decision makers. First, remedial actions require present generations to conserve fossil fuels for the benefit of posterity, and there is no consensus that an ethical obligation to posterity exists. Second, actions must be based upon uncertain projections of future energy use and uncertain scientific knowledge of the carbon cycle and the environment. Third, economic and social factors may preclude resolution of the problem. Fourth, speculation from moral psychology suggests that mankind may be psychologically incapable of caring enough for posterity to make serious sacrifices. Therefore, public policy regarding sacrifice by present generationsmore » for the benefit of posterity is not likely to be forthcoming from policy makers or suported by the public. 120 references.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Deep Springs Coll., CA
OSTI Identifier:
6945460
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Environ. Prof.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 6:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; AIR POLLUTION CONTROL; ETHICS; SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS; CARBON CYCLE; TEMPERATURE EFFECTS; FOSSIL FUELS; CARBON DIOXIDE; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; PUBLIC POLICY; CARBON COMPOUNDS; CARBON OXIDES; CHALCOGENIDES; CONTROL; ENERGY SOURCES; FUELS; INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; POLLUTION CONTROL; 500200* - Environment, Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989); 530000 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- (-1989); 290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment, Health, & Safety

Citation Formats

Lemons, J. Can the carbon dioxide problem be resolved. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Lemons, J. Can the carbon dioxide problem be resolved. United States.
Lemons, J. 1984. "Can the carbon dioxide problem be resolved". United States.
@article{osti_6945460,
title = {Can the carbon dioxide problem be resolved},
author = {Lemons, J},
abstractNote = {The combustion of fossil fuels increases atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/). This may cause a long-term warming of the atmosphere. Solutions to the CO/sub 2/ problem are particularly difficult because adverse effects will be felt by future generations, but remedial action and sacrifices must be made by present generations. Decisions regarding the problem which affect both the immediate and long-range future must be made deliberately or by default in perhaps only 15 to 20 years, before we are reasonably confident of our knowledge of the problem and before we know whether atmospheric warming will, in fact, occur. Empirical and evaluative data do not seem compelling to decision makers. First, remedial actions require present generations to conserve fossil fuels for the benefit of posterity, and there is no consensus that an ethical obligation to posterity exists. Second, actions must be based upon uncertain projections of future energy use and uncertain scientific knowledge of the carbon cycle and the environment. Third, economic and social factors may preclude resolution of the problem. Fourth, speculation from moral psychology suggests that mankind may be psychologically incapable of caring enough for posterity to make serious sacrifices. Therefore, public policy regarding sacrifice by present generations for the benefit of posterity is not likely to be forthcoming from policy makers or suported by the public. 120 references.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6945460}, journal = {Environ. Prof.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 6:1,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}