Climate change and other environmental issues can be viewed from more than just a scientific lens. This is something I learned at the Environmental Panel that included Professors Shanjun Li, Greg Poe, and David Wolfe, two of whom are Economics professors. The talk was heavily focused on the different forms of renewable energy and their many drawbacks, as well as the tradeoffs faced by countries and corporations when dealing with environmental issues such as air pollution and waste disposal. Many of the threads of conversation seemed to be tied by a common theme: that efforts and benefits are relative to their scope. For instance, fracking is largely seen as a negative practice, and was largely opposed in New York State. However, compared to other methods of obtaining sources of energy, such as mountaintop removal, fracking (especially using modern technology such as horizontal fracking) is much less harmful, though the full effects of breaking up shale rock deep underground are still being studied. Likewise, though the U.S. is trying to make progress in capping the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by factories throughout the country, if China, who is by far the world’s greatest polluter, continues at current levels or increases their CO2 output, the world is not better off due to the effects of such “externalities” discussed in great detail during the talk. Essentially, the world has to agree on a plan to reduce greenhouse gases and actually stick to it in order to make a consequential difference. This, however, poses a major economic and political challenge that is yet nowhere close to being resolved.

Although the panelists each offered interesting points and ideas, I think that the discussion lacked cohesion and direction. As an audience member, I don’t have a clear take away besides the fact that no one can agree on what needs to be done, which I suppose accurately reflects reality. However, I would have appreciated a more impassioned and focused discussion on what I consider to be an extremely important topic.