RESPONSES TO CHANGE

Responses to Climate Change Have Consequences. What Are Your Priorities?

The knowledge that scientific research provides us about the environment can be used to help shape public policy.

Consider The Alternatives

Responding to the changing climate involves trade-offs of many kinds. Some choices will be difficult, yet they will be in the headlines and public policy debates for decades to come.

Consider responses to some hypothetical but plausible scenarios that many communities are likely to confront. Your choices will be recorded as part of a research study being conducted at Pennsylvania State University.

Data Screen

In the activity the user is asked to submit their age group, gender, and zip code.

This activity involves three scenarios: Reducing CO₂ Levels; Saving Habitat or Homes; and Rising Sea Level.

Reducing CO₂ Levels

The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere appears to be the most important cause of the recent warming.

There are many possible ways to slow the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

One option is to plant trees, but it takes many trees to reduce carbon dioxide levels significantly. Another alternative is to increase energy efficiency standards for buildings, which might require costly investment in new equipment.

What trade-offs would you make to influence CO₂ levels in these two ways?

The user is asked what financial cost per month they would be willing to undertake to influence CO₂ levels in these two ways.

Saving Habitat or Homes

Wetlands provide important habitat and breeding ground for birds, fish and many other wild species.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the nation lost 58,000 acres of wetland habitat per year during the mid-1980s and 90s. Most losses were due to commercial and agricultural development. Climate changes might cause further loss of wetlands, threatening wildlife that cannot adapt or relocate successfully. Climate changes might also increase flooding in some areas where people live or work.

One response is to invest in programs to protect threatened wetlands. Another response is to limit construction in flood-prone areas or require elevated structures that could reduce storm damage. Beyond a certain point, however, some habitats will be affected and some structures will be damaged no matter how much money is spent to protect them.

Given the uncertainties, what trade-offs would you make to protect wetlands or to safeguard communities from storm damage? The user is asked what financial cost per month they would be willing to undertake to protect wetlands or to safeguard communities from storm damage

Rising Sea Level

Nearly half of the American population lives near the coasts. Many homes and businesses are located within coastal flood plains.

Although the impacts of global warming are uncertain, the sea level is likely to rise. As it rises, some coastal areas will experience increased storm damage to roads and buildings and erosion of beaches. Many urban areas can be protected by investing in sea walls and reinforced structures, although such measures often sacrifice beaches and wetlands.

In some areas where fresh water aquifers are near the coast, rising sea level might affect the taste of drinking water by making it slightly saltier. In areas where this might happen in the United States, it is often possible to protect drinking water from rising sea level, although maintaining good-tasting water may come at a higher cost.

What trade-offs would you make to protect coastal areas and the good taste of drinking water there?

The user is asked what financial cost per month they would be willing to undertake to protect the coastal areas and the good taste of drinking water.

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