Interdisciplinary Analysis by William Hargett

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Thanks for visiting the Creatively Decisive blog page for my final post. This post will contain an interdisciplinary analysis concerning climate change. The two disciplines that I will be examining include corporations/businesses and the public. The concept of global warming/climate change has always been very mysterious to me. From a young age, I was always uncertain as to what people were talking about when I heard “global warming” mentioned either in casual conversation or hearing it on the news randomly while walking past the television. It wasn’t until my high school science classes that I learned the correct definition of global warming, and the dangers that it presents for the Earth. “The term ‘global warming’ was first used in a 1975 Science article by geochemist Wallace Broecker of Columbia University. He wrote a paper called ‘Climate Change: Are We on the Brink of a Pronounced Global Warming (They)’” According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Global warming refers to the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperature near Earth’s surface. It is caused mostly by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Global warming is causing climate patterns to change (Climate change).” Even though this is a controversial subject, there is evidence of global warming impacting the climate. For example, the impact of climate change on coastal areas is significant. Sea levels are rising and carbon dioxide levels are up, which makes our oceans more acidic. The rise in acidity affects the entire aquatic ecosystem, and also causes floods and erosion. An example of the affected ecosystem is the coral reef “bleaching.” The warming of the waters due to global warming has affected storm surges, especially in low-lying areas such as Manhattan (Climate Impacts). According to the March 1990 publication of the Journal of Cold Regions Engineering, the most significant increase in wave action in the ocean is in the Arctic and Coastal regions (Gerwick). Not only are our ocean ecosystems affected, but areas within our lakes have also been effected. Because of human activity, the surface area of certain lakes have decreased (Bai). The 2005 Journal of Mountain Science reports that global warming has additionally caused a water shortage in locations such as Northwest China (Lu). Mathias Vuille reports in the Journal of Geophysical Research that global warming has also affected the Andean temperatures. While recently, the low-lying coastal areas have been cooling, the higher altitude areas have been warming (Vuille). Many different points of view about global warming are actively expressed. Political, business, scientific, and public points of view about global warming have the same ultimate goal in common, but many different points of view on how to reach the goal of containing/potentially eliminating global warming. From a corporate business point of view, global warming can be used to increase profit and to improve public image. The majority of the general public, on the other hand, looks at global warming and its effects on Earth as a developing problem needing increased public awareness of its seriousness.

The United States corporate world has finally realized that recognition of the existence of global warming can be used in a positive way. Corporate America is using studies of facts about global warming to improve both their public image and profit. Public image is an obvious play to the public on this subject. Consumers are obviously more likely to support an eco-friendly company as opposed to a non eco-friendly company. The common perception of why companies do not become eco-friendly “may be explained in part by the widely-shared perception that environmental action entails costs that impact productivity.” In an attempt to improve public perception, companies are beginning to label products as “eco-friendly,” “bio-degradeable,” and “energy efficient.” To advertise that a company is practicing global warming strategies most definitely increases positive public image of that company. Studies by economists help companies realize that the benefits of “going green” are greater than the costs of not participating in the movement. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is an organization that includes companies such as Coca-Cola, Sony, and Toyota. The WBCSD provides research information to companies to help them develop the most efficient eco-friendly policies. Managers of companies need to develop a plan of action in order to develop and implement a climate change policy. First, they need to take preliminary measures in areas such as environmental intelligence, the amount of GHG, and the most effective way possible for the company. The company also needs to be as proactive as possible in its climate change policies, as compared to the “wait and see” policies of the past. Third, the company needs to develop its climate change policy based on “managerial actions, technical actions, and Sociopolitical actions.” One table included in the article is titled “Managerial Actions to Reduce GHG Emissions.” It includes both policies on how to manage global warming and a plan to manage and maintain the policies. The particular policy mentioned includes the promotion of awareness concerning the company’s global warming policy plan. Managerial actions also include increasing customer awareness of the new policies which typically increases their support. The Climate Change policy needs to be monitored closely, making sure legal rules are followed. Additionally, the policy needs to be consistently reviewed as there is always room for the policy to be developed and improved. Companies also use an Environmental Intelligence flow chart which helps companies predict global warming impacts. This flow chart focuses on economic issues, scientific and technical issues, social issues, and political and regulatory issues (Boiral).

Public opinions about global warming vary because people do not know what to believe due to the large amount of conflict over global warming issues. Twenty-four percent of the public have not heard much about global warming or either have not heard anything about it at all. Thirty percent of the public has very little understanding of what global warming is while seventy percent recognize global warming as a serious problem. Factors that contribute to the public’s opinions on global warming depend on a number of factors such as: personal values, peer influence, bias, and positive environmental practices. Efforts are being made to educate the general public on the developing problems associated with global warming and the need to be concerned even if they are not directly effected. Even with increased awareness of global warming, people still continue to give global warming a backseat to other issues such as toxic waste, economic problems, and foreign relation problems. Using as a key player in changing the opinions about global warming in the United States, California is pivotal if the nation’s attitude towards global warming is going to change. “Behavioral changes on both a personal and political level are needed to make substantial progress in controlling the emission of carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to global warming.” Easy lifestyle changes that can save significant amounts of energy include carpooling, being reasonable with the thermostat, turning off lights, taking short showers instead of baths, and driving fuel efficient vehicles (Rhode).

Both the business world and the general public articles have addressed the same issue, while providing different language and appeal, based on their intended audience. The business world uses company language such as flow charts and informational tables to develop their own global warming policies. This article also emphasizes the economic benefits of having an environmentally proactive business strategy. In contrast to the business discipline is the public discipline, which is written to appeal to the general public. Public appeal is achieved by using diction that is easily understood by the general public. The general public discipline also presents the public with facts that appeal to the interest of the people. The corporate discipline, however, uses charts and informative tables that communicate effectively with business personnel. These charts focus on marketing opportunities, employee motivations, advantages with the competition, and information concerning emissions.

Both disciplines are addressing the same issue of global warming, but each emphasizes different reasons for becoming proactive. Businesses understand that being proactive increases public image and company production and profits. The use of organizational maps and studies of global-warming facts help businesses to develop effective and productive policies. Nevertheless, the general public places importance on the developing problems of global warming and the need to increase public awareness of just how serious of an issue climate change is. By appealing to the public’s awareness, more people will join the “going green” program by incorporating easy lifestyle changes. It is my conclusion that regardless of one’s reasons for helping to improve this developing problem, global warming should be a priority in all areas of existence, business or public.

Works Cited

Bai, Jie. "Changes in the Area of Inland Lakes in Arid Regions of Central Asia during the past 30 Years." Environmental Modeling and Assessment. July 1, 2011. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Boiral, Olivier. "Global Warming: Should Companies Adopt a Proactive Strategy?" Elsevier. October 27, 2006. Accessed December 4, 2015.

"Climate Change: Basic Information." US EPA. Accessed December 3, 2015.

"Climate Impacts on Coastal Areas." US EPA. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Gerwick Jr., Ben. "Effect of Global Warming on Arctic Coastal and Offshore Engineering." Journal of Cold Regions Engineering. March 1, 1990. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Lu, Aigang. "Main Content Area Impact of Global Warming on Water Resource in Arid Area of Northwest China." Journal of Mountain Science. December 1, 2005. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Rhode, Deborah. "Environmental Values and Behaviors: Strategies to Encourage Public Support for Initiatives to Combat Global Warming." Global Climate Change. Accessed December 4, 2015.

"They Didn't Change the Name from 'global Warming' to 'climate Change'" Skeptical Science. July 16, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2015.

Vuille, Mathias. "Impact of the Global Warming Hiatus on Andean Temperature." Journal of Geophysical Research. May 7, 2015. Accessed December 3, 2015.