Science and Policy

I really liked the readings for this week and I think they both provided great insight into the complicated web of how science and policy work. I think it is important to understand the long process in which scientific articles go though in order to be published and ultimately seen by a larger audience. Not only are multiple reviews and revisions helpful when writing an article, they are vital for overall relevance and credibility. Even though there are so many steps involved in the editing process, there is always room for human error that can be seen in the example from the first chapter in which a date was mistyped and it was overlooked in every step of the review process. This essentially led to the credibility being questioned and could even fuel the argument for the skeptics. It is very important to have the most accurate information when writing a scientific study because there is a much better chance that this type of reliable information will be better understood and have a better chance to working its way into policy.

Industry and Development

I found the readings for this week interesting because I didn't know much about the problems they are having with water in Egypt in particular. It is alarming that the future water supply in Egypt is very uncertain and could either increase slightly, or decrease tremendously. This situation shows that the issue of waster availability and climate change in general needs to be approached from different directions and perspectives and not through a singular lens. People from different places and cultures around the world view things in different ways and have different ideas on what is most important. I really liked the statement the author made at the end of chapter 5 when they said international experts believe climate change in Egypt is about water, but water in Egypt is not just about climate change. This goes to show that there are many different factors that arise when trying to combat these issues and it is vital to have balance between different views in order to ensure success.

Denial, Skepticism and Contrarianism

One thing that I found particularly interesting about the readings this week was the ways in which people can become so consumed in their thoughts and beliefs that they are unwilling to approach the issue of climate change with an open mind to even consider the possibility of it being true. Also, some do acknowledge that climate change is happening, but we should do nothing about it because it is speeding up the end of the world which means that Jesus's return will come sooner. I think this mindset is strange because it seems very selfish to think about this issue from such a narrow lens. It seems to take away the importance of caring for the land that God has provided which one would think should be the most important thing, especially to a conservative Christian. This view also does not give any consideration for future generations and what their lives will be like due to our greedy tendencies and disregard for the consequences that inevitably follow the way of life to which most of us have become accustomed. I do not understand how people refuse to believe in the significance of climate change and do not think it is necessary for us to change our way of life before it is too late.