6.3D Challenges to overcome (HL) Notes

Challenges in Implementing Climate Management and Intervention Strategies

1. Managing climate change requires cooperation, leadership, finance, and public acceptance, but these requirements are often not met simultaneously.
2. Barriers arise from differences in belief, resources, political priorities, international inequalities, and socio-cultural perspectives.
3. These barriers slow down or completely block climate-policy implementation at local, national, and global scales.

Barrier 1: Lack of Belief That Climate Change Is a Serious Problem

Misconceptions About Climate Science

1. Some individuals believe CO₂ responds to temperature, not the other way around.
2. Long-term paleoclimate evidence shows the opposite: CO₂ increases typically precede temperature increases, reinforcing the greenhouse mechanism.
3. Some argue CO₂ is only 0.04% of the atmosphere and therefore “too small” to matter.
4. Climate scientists emphasize that potency, not volume, determines warming, CO₂ efficiently traps infrared radiation.

Misunderstandings of Natural Variability

1. Some climate skeptics argue warming is due to solar cycles.
2. Solar output varies only by ~0.1%, which cannot account for current warming.
3. Since the 1960s, solar radiation has decreased, while global temperatures have continued rising sharply.
4. Some claim climate change is “just natural variability,” but scientific models already include natural cycles, and warming still exceeds natural levels.

Distrust of Climate Models

1. Some individuals argue that because models vary, none can be accurate.
2. While models differ in exact values, they all show the same trend:
   1. Increasing temperatures
   2. Rising sea levels
   3. Increased extreme weather
3. The number of climate models has increased from 7 in 2001 → 40 in 2013 → 100+ in 2021, improving accuracy and validation.

Barrier 2: Lack of Financial Resources & Weak Planning Strategies

Financial Limitations of National Governments

1. Many low-income countries (LICs) lack the financial capacity to:
   1. Build renewable-energy systems
   2. Establish early-warning systems
   3. Relocate vulnerable communities
   4. Implement adaptation strategies
   5. Transition away from fossil fuels
2. Large up-front costs make it difficult to adopt clean technologies without external support.

Issues with Climate Finance

1. Under the UN, high-income countries pledged USD 100 billion/year to support LICs.
2. In 2020, only USD 83 billion was delivered; 25% reached Africa.
3. Much of this finance was in the form of loans, increasing national debt and reducing long-term resilience.
4. Poor financial planning results in fragmented or short-term strategies.

Barrier 3: Lack of Leadership from Stakeholders

Political Leadership Failures

1. Weak governance, corruption, and unstable political conditions slow climate policy implementation.
2. Some leaders prioritize economic growth over climate sustainability.

Corporate Leadership Failures

1. Some transnational energy companies (e.g., ExxonMobil, Shell, BP) continue heavy investment in fossil fuels.
2. Profit incentives conflict with mitigation goals.
3. Some industries lobby against environmental regulation, slowing global progress.
4. As the Arctic warms, fossil-fuel exploration becomes easier, encouraging companies to expand extraction, creating a positive feedback loop of emissions.

NGO Limitations

1. Many NGOs support mitigation by promoting low-carbon transitions, restoration, and community adaptation.
2. However, NGOs often face:
   1. Funding shortages
   2. Lack of skilled personnel
   3. Donor fatigue
   4. Communication issues
   5. Limited political influence
3. Some NGOs’ goals may not align perfectly with national priorities.

Barrier 4: International Inequalities

Unequal Impacts & Unequal Responsibilities

1. High-income countries (HICs) historically emitted the majority of CO₂, enabling economic growth.
2. Low-income countries (LICs) contributed least to the problem but experience the worst climate impacts, such as drought, flooding, and food insecurity.
3. Some economies continue to profit from fossil fuels, e.g., Middle Eastern oil producers, Russia, Brunei, discouraging global cooperation.

Inequality in Energy Security

1. HICs have stable access to energy and technology for mitigation.
2. LICs face:
   1. Energy insecurity
   2. Unreliable infrastructure
   3. Limited access to financing
3. Climate strategies often widen inequalities unless combined with equitable support.

Barrier 5: Differences in Perspective Across Age Groups & Regions

Generational Differences

1. Younger populations generally express higher concern about climate change.
2. Studies (e.g., University of Göttingen) show young people often adjust behaviours, diet, travel, consumption, based on climate awareness.
3. Older populations may prioritize financial stability, tradition, or believe impacts are exaggerated.

Geographic Differences

1. People in coastal and low-lying areas feel more at risk (flooding, sea-level rise, storms).
2. Inland and upland communities may feel less affected and less motivated for urgent action.
3. Upland communities may still face risks such as:
   1. Reduced snow for water supply
   2. Decline of ski tourism
   3. Changes in seasonal rainfall
   4. Increased wildfire risk

Influence of Media, Politics, and Social Groups

1. Public perception is influenced by:
   1. Social media misinformation
   2. Political ideology
   3. Trust in scientific institutions
   4. Economic stability
   5. Community values
2. Surveys show most people accept climate change, but fewer take meaningful action.