My senior thesis for CU-Boulder’s Environmental Studies Department is about the complexities of climate change and is based on 5,000+ pages of primary sources published in 2007. My advisers awarded me summa cum laude for my work. 
A Cultural Climate Change:
A Community Based Approach to Greenhouse Gas Neutrality
Abstract
What defines the climate change crisis? More importantly, how do we solve it? I have attempted to provide a comprehensive answer to both of these critical questions. I present an analysis of the risks of climate change because common misperceptions about these risks are resulting in dangerously inadequate responses. I analyze the United States Congress’ initial response in 2007—two energy bills worth about three trillion dollars and five government reform bills—and suggest a number of changes that should be made. The energy legislation is worrying because it is in conflict with what the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends. Moneyed interests and a corrupted political process are producing legislation that is inefficient, unnecessarily expensive, has negative distributional effects, and is not compatible with sustainable development. Government reform is vital to achieve an appropriate response. I attempt to define the failures in American governance that have resulted from imbalances of power, an ignorant public, and a dysfunctional media. To address these problems, a cultural change that involves widespread political participation can not be overemphasized. Widespread involvement is critical to achieve sustainability and greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality. To support these important goals, I propose that the United States Congress appropriate at least $100 billion per year for energy service corporations (ESCOs)—a ClimateCorps to provide public sector leadership and catalyze changes in knowledge, behavior and attitude.
Table of Contents
Introduction p.1-6
PART I The Science and Politics of Global Warming
Chapter 1 Understanding Global Climate Change p. 8-39
The Physical Science Basis
Human and Natural Drivers of Climate Change
Direct Observations of Recent Climate Change
A Palaeoclimatic Perspective
Understanding and Attributing Climate Change
Projections of Future Changes in Climate
Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
Observed Impacts on the Natural and Human Environment
Current Knowledge about Future Impacts
Responding to Climate Change
Mitigation of Climate Change
Greenhouse Gas Emission Trends
Mitigation in the Short and Medium Term (Until 2030)
Mitigation in the Long Term (After 2030)
Policies, Measures and Instruments to Mitigate Climate Change
Sustainable Development and Climate Change Mitigation
Tipping Points
Clathrate Gun Hypothesis
Oil War
Amazon Forest
Conclusion
Chapter 2 Understanding U.S. Energy Policy p. 40-70
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007
Carbon-Neutral Government Act of 2007
Comments
International Climate Cooperation Re-engagement Act of 2007
Comments
Research and Education
Comments
Energy Implementation Programs
Comments
Advanced Research Projects—Energy
Comments
America’s Climate Security Act
Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act
U.S. Energy Policy Synopsis
Costs
The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
Future Climate Legislation
Cap and Trade
Global Carbon Tax
Population
Land Use
AmeriCorps
Conclusion
PART II Reforms in American Governance
Chapter 3 Corruption and Power Imbalance p. 71-92
Fiscal Insanity
Dysfunction
Misuse of Authority: Buying Power
Moneyed Legislation
Subsidies
Corruption in Contracts
Holding the Executive to Account
Complicit in Torture
Unlawful Use of Force
Signing Statements
Action Agenda: Government Reform
Specific Reform Legislation
Conclusion
Chapter 4 Awareness and Political Participation p. 93-109
The Media
Media Reform
Civics 101: Republican Virtue
Elections
Community & Moral Conscience
Interest Groups
Climate Change Campaigns
Transition: Our Journey up to Now
Part III Rising to the Challenge: Achieving GHG Neutrality
Chapter 5 Case Study: Boulder, Colorado p. 110-118
Boulder’s Climate Smart
Green Points Energy Program
Renewable Energy Incentives
Community Leadership: the University of Colorado at Boulder
Conclusion
Chapter 6 A Cultural Climate Change p. 119-123
A Proposal for GHG Neutrality
The Organizational Imperative
Conclusion
