Scientific American recently published an article entitled "The Climate Change Debate: How We Got Here and Where We're Going." The article provides an overview of the history of the climate change debate, highlighting key milestones and the current state of the debate.
The article starts by noting that the scientific understanding of climate change began to emerge in the late 19th century, when scientists first began to study the greenhouse effect. However, it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that the issue began to gain widespread attention. In 1988, NASA scientist James Hansen testified before Congress, stating that the evidence for human-caused climate change was strong. This marked the beginning of a new phase in the debate, with climate change becoming a political issue.
The article then goes on to examine the key milestones in the climate change debate. The article notes that the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change marked a turning point, as countries around the world agreed to take action to address climate change. Additionally, the article notes that the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, marked a significant step forward, as countries committed to taking ambitious action to limit global warming.
The article then looks at the current state of the climate change debate. The article notes that while there is a broad scientific consensus that human activity is causing climate change, the issue remains politically contentious in many countries. The article argues that this is largely due to the fact that addressing climate change will require significant changes to the way we live and do business, which is likely to be disruptive and unpopular.
The article concludes by looking at the future of the climate change debate. The article notes that the Paris Agreement set ambitious goals for limiting global warming, but current national emissions reduction pledges fall short of achieving these goals. The article argues that it's important for countries to take more ambitious action to address climate change, and that it's also important for businesses and individuals to take personal responsibility for reducing their carbon footprint.
In conclusion, the Scientific American article "The Climate Change Debate: How We Got Here and Where We're Going" provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the climate change debate, highlighting key milestones and the current state of the debate. The article provides a balanced view of the subject and offers a realistic understanding of the current state of the climate change debate. The article also provides a clear picture of where the debate is heading and the urgent need for more ambitious action to address the issue.