A commentary on the climate change issue

Abstract

The climate is changing and the balance of scientific evidence indicates a human contribution through increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases, continued emissions of which will lead to further climate change. Hence, there is an issue to manage through both reducing net greenhouse gas emissions and implementing adaptation strategies. This is not about scientific certainty but probability and risk management. Timely responses to this challenge are somewhat thwarted; first, because policy developers receive relevant knowledge about climate change largely through ad hoc processes open to unintended barriers and manipulation and, second, because behavioural characteristics such as subjectiveness, short-sightedness and irrationality are barriers to the acceptance of a need for action. Businesses that see future opportunities in a low-carbon society, or have an ethos of sustainability, might consider the value of being early starters; strategic and flexible; using expert knowledge and building technological skill; and spreading risk through a portfolio approach. Climate change reflects the way we are as individuals, our expectations, culture, history, education, and our institutional structures, market economy, governance, shared behavioural norms and legal frameworks. There is a need to reassess the foundation of these characteristics in light of the climate change issue.