So… What’s Working?

There are over 1,500 policies in place globally — not to mention billions allocated to combat this challenge. So what’s working?  How does one calculate the combined effectiveness of more than a thousand initiatives?

A recent study published in the journal Science points out that individual policies can be measured for impact, but the real challenge lies in understanding how these policies interact and contribute to the bigger picture. 

Candidly, our efforts to curb global greenhouse gas emissions have so far failed to achieve the sort of drastic shift we’re hoping to see in the next generation or so. Furthermore, the precise policy mix that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions remains uncertain.

Based on the Science report, here’s one thing we know: Price-based mechanisms — like carbon pricing — can be powerful tools for reducing emissions. The problem is, these policies hit Americans’ wallets directly, making them difficult to champion in a political landscape that rewards short-term wins over long-term sustainability.

Out of the hundreds of lawmakers in Washington, roughly 40 have developed a deep level of climate change expertise. By the way, this is completely understandable;  it takes years to become well-versed in the science, the economics and the human impact. Most members of Congress must rely on outside help or consult experts when it comes time to vote on these multilayered measures.

Lawmakers who engage in constructing and supporting climate policy face enormous challenges — balancing urgent needs, partisan gridlock and overwhelming complexity. 

This Science report clearly shows that there is no single silver bullet policy initiative that will prevent the planet from warming multiple degrees over the next 50 years. 

The most significant, enduring impact will come down to how lawmakers weave these policies together in pursuit of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Success requires a level of bipartisan, international coordination that, while yet unattained, is absolutely possible. There is a tremendous amount of opportunity for more significant study and collaboration if we hope to bend the emission curve down. 

The question is, what are we going to do about it?