Chapters 7/8

Kolbert did a great job with these two chapters. I enjoyed reading them, and most of my questions were answered. I even learned a few things.

I didn’t know about “wedges.” They sound like really good ideas, and I wonder why many aren’t implemented today. I would think that any measures to reduce CO2 emissions would be difficult to pass up.

One thing that left me wanting more information was BAU, or “business as usual.” From what I understand, well, I really don’t understand. Why is a continual rise CO2 levels considered a normality? Kolbert discusses how scientists are more worried about global warming, saying “Wake up! This is not a good thing to be doing.” I don’t see what’s normal about that.

What I liked about chapter seven is that it incorporated everyday “business,” in all different aspects. She looked not only at the science of how CO2 is climbing each day, but also how people wake up and start contributing their own personal CO2.

Chapter 8, I thought, was very well written. The title, “The day after Kyoto,” struck me as a bit comical. I was also amused at the interview with Paula Dobriansky. We’ve all interviewed a Paula Dobriansky, someone who keeps repeating key phrases and refusing to say anything useful. It made me think of my own interviews like that and how frustrating they can be. I liked how this chapter discussed the underlying political factors that influence climate change policies. It lets readers know that there is more than science that goes into saving the planet.