If left unchecked, climate problems pose serious risks of harm; over one hundred years of close observation have revealed this. The biomes, animals, plants, and even people have experienced anthropogenic change at a pace some life cannot adapt to. North Carolina’s contributions to these problems match or even surpass the global average.
The action of individuals and organizations has more power to aid the environment than the slow-moving bureaucracy of the government, beholden to special interests. Some mixture of governing action, freedom, and nativity got us into this problem but freedom and knowledge can get us out. Government must empower its citizens.
Human self-interest and empathy always surpass force, and in that way, a deliberate citizenry is more than capable of taking the actions necessary to improve our world. Pollution can be stopped by strong legal action and clearly-defined regulation so that they are fully held responsible. Wildlife can thrive in captivity if ownership is permitted. Pressure for holdouts to reduce, reuse, and recycle can be applied through civil liberties and grassroots activism. Humanity unchained has a beautiful capacity for achievement.
The public land owned collectively by the people of North Carolina and in the trust of the government constitutes an opportunity to aid conservation efforts. Park administration is a core responsibility. The abundance of vegetation on government property contributes significantly to the balancing of atmospheric chemistry and sustenance of human and all life. North Carolina should sell land to private parks and preservation companies. Nevertheless, the parks are an opportunity for our state government to engage in commerce and in that regard can mimic corporations to fund the upkeep of the land and measure the public’s approval.
Because universities fund academic research, it is in our best interest if our public universities set aside funding for research and development into climate, including potential solutions involving nonrenewable energy sources. Those universities should encourage entrepreneurship to develop students’ ability to innovate, bring about important solutions, and generate prosperity. The modernization and use of nuclear power is especially important to discuss with students. The next generation will produce numerous helpful inventions backed by capital with or without the universities. For those residents who do innovate, a medal and big cash prize should be awarded.