Capitalism and the Environment

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that, because environmental choices are difficult, painful, and unpopular, even though the majority of reputable environmental scientists have known about the existence of global warming for many years, it has been difficult to marshal much public support for making sacrifices, or to elect politicians who prioritize the environment above popularity or seemingly more pressing national issues that directly impact voter's pocketbooks. The paper then explains that, in order to make people fully aware of the negative consequences of global warming, they need to understand that, even from a fairly short-term capitalistic point of view, in the long term, global warming will have a negative impact upon the planet.

From the Paper:

"However, public interest in the face of these findings have waxed and waned. The odd stretch of hot weather, like a 70 degree day in January or a severe, intense hurricane might briefly ignite fears about global warming, but as the cold weather returns for the rest of the season or the natural disaster is forgotten, the influence of these fears abate. People perceive problems on the micro rather than the macro level. According to researchers, record-setting warmth in the northern hemisphere can have wide-ranging ecological effects, "from changes to the location, frequency, and intensity of storms and wildfires to shifts in crop and fisheries yields."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ahern, Tim. "Poll Shows support for Conservation." The Trust for the Public Land. 2007. 25 May 2007. <http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=14525&folder_id=186>
• Belluck, Pam. "Warm Winters Upset Rhythms of Maple Sugar." The New York Times. 3 Mar 2007. 25 May 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/us/03maple.html?ex=1330578000&en=a6d46ed81a16b570&ei=5088&partner=
• "Science Panel's Latest Climate Report Underscores Need for Swift Action." National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). 2007. 25 May 2007 <http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/ipcc.asp>
• Spotts, Peter N. "The 'swing' behind East Coast's warm spell." Christian Science Monitor. 2007. 25 May 2007. <http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0104/p03s03-ussc.html>
• Sweezy, Paul. "Capitalism and the Environment." Monthly Review. Oct 2004. 25 May 2007. <http://www.monthlyreview.org/1004pms3.htm>

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