Ironically, the ‘ozone hole’ crisis is a perfect template for how climate change should’ve been handled.
Scientists identified an existential problem.
World leaders got together and agreed on a solution (banning CFCs).
It was inconvenient (screwing up refrigeration and other industry at the time), but the public nodded and went along.
Problem solved.
As it should be, with everyone staying in their lanes. Lifelong specialists analyzing the problem, leaders acting on what experts say, the general public humbly recognizing their civic duty and deference to experts.
…Then those roles broke.
Apparently, boomers and others concluded “well that was awful. Why did we do that? Let’s not listen to scientists anymore, question them, and complain very loudly the next time this happens,” as if they’re the experts now. Leaders took advantage, and I suppose scientists turned to public activism which only fed the trolls inflaming it.
Not to discount the effect of Big Oil lobbying/propaganda. I suspect that wasn’t such a thing back in ‘ozone hole’ times.
You are missing the step where the experts weighted in and created an alternative capable of maintaining the same societal benefits with minimum losses. It’s between steps 1 and 2.
The ozone hole was caused by a different man-made chemical. After 10 years of use, which caused 3 generations of problems, the ozone holes are slowly, very slowly, closing.
Has nothing to do with greenhouse gasses, however. And Earth’s global temperature is still rising.
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Ironically, the ‘ozone hole’ crisis is a perfect template for how climate change should’ve been handled.
Scientists identified an existential problem.
World leaders got together and agreed on a solution (banning CFCs).
It was inconvenient (screwing up refrigeration and other industry at the time), but the public nodded and went along.
Problem solved.
As it should be, with everyone staying in their lanes. Lifelong specialists analyzing the problem, leaders acting on what experts say, the general public humbly recognizing their civic duty and deference to experts.
…Then those roles broke.
Apparently, boomers and others concluded “well that was awful. Why did we do that? Let’s not listen to scientists anymore, question them, and complain very loudly the next time this happens,” as if they’re the experts now. Leaders took advantage, and I suppose scientists turned to public activism which only fed the trolls inflaming it.
Not to discount the effect of Big Oil lobbying/propaganda. I suspect that wasn’t such a thing back in ‘ozone hole’ times.
Acid rain is another great example.
You are missing the step where the experts weighted in and created an alternative capable of maintaining the same societal benefits with minimum losses. It’s between steps 1 and 2.
That’s a good point TBH.
To add up, we are close to that now with solar and batteries. But we are still not there.
And you can see the revolution going up all over the world. The US is resisting it a bit, but even there solar is gaining space.
Because we all know the ozone hole is what is causing global warming right?
You’re…you’re kidding, right?
The ozone hole was caused by a different man-made chemical. After 10 years of use, which caused 3 generations of problems, the ozone holes are slowly, very slowly, closing.
Has nothing to do with greenhouse gasses, however. And Earth’s global temperature is still rising.