Position Paper: Global Warming

I am not for or against global warming. I have seen enough on both sides that I am not convinced that global climate change is anthropogenic. The whole debate about CO2 and its effects on the global climate is a red herring.

"A RED HERRING?!?!?!" I can hear my fellow liberals opine. America will not curb its carbon emissions enough to meet the increasingly urgent deadlines proposed by climate change scientists. And neither will China or India. Thus, the whole point is moot.

Rather, it is time to say, "The global climate is changing. That's what climates always do. So how do we best equip ourselves to deal with that change?" This is the most effective way of dealing with the issue in a way that makes a difference.

As the permafrost melts, the north pole loses its ice cover, and birds migrate earlier and earlier, the reality is that the earth's climate is changing. What does that mean? For farmers, it may mean changing crops. Oregon oranges? Alaska corn? The change to watersheds is potentially huge, as current sources dry up, and new infrastructure is required to capture new water sources. Will Albuquerque run out of water? Will Timberline ski resort no longer be able to offer 365-day skiiing? Will vacation getaways in the Kenai peninsula get warmer and thus more valuable? Will the US South use more AC as summers warm up? How much less winter heating oil will the NorthEast use?

As secondary effects, what do those changes in energy use mean to global policy? Will we have less need to import grapes from Chile when there is a very long growing season in the US? Will we care more or less about projecting our military in the Middle East?

Global warming is really not about the if or the when. The if is taken care of because the when is always. It is about the how. How have we thought about and planned for the likely changes in our climate?

I'm lucky - I live in Oregon, not in Phoenix or Albuquerque. We're likely to continue getting plenty of water, and high temperatures mean less skiing, but a longer hiking season. No problem for most humans around here. Wildlife is a different story.

What will effect me hugely? Energy. See a later position paper on that.

Is this what it feels like to have an MBA?

I had an interview last night with a potential new boss. It was significant for me in that it was the first time I've been interviewed for something new because of what I know instead of who I am and what I can do. I'm known as a good Japanese speaker who gets along well with people, and is not afraid to give the straight scoop to superiors. But now I'm also getting opportunities to look at the business as a whole because of education.

I work in the semiconductor industry on the equipment side. My company has a worldwide presence, but is based in Japan. My career with them so far (9 years) has all been in operations. First as a technician, then as a program manager, and recently as a supervisor. 4 years ago, in a move to get some financial stability for my family, I went back to school for a business degree. It took 2 years to finish a BA in business, and then I went straight into a very reputable local MBA program. After all these years in operation and studying business for so long, I really want to get out of the tactical operations side and do something more far-reaching.

Last night's interview was almost exactly the thing I was looking for. We recognize that we have some competitive disadvantages versus our competition, and the project is looking at how we do business, and what is the best way to remove those disadvantages. My role would be to serve as the bridge between Japanese headquarters and the US operation and also to provide insight from US business practices. Not only how customers in the US work, but to apply my knowledge to come up with what might be better solutions than the all-Japanese team would get themselves.

It sounds exciting -I do hope it works out. If it does, we (my family) will all go to Japan for 6-9 months doing studies, and then when we return, I'll be working to implement the changes across the US operation. Sounds like a ton of fun. Will update when I find out.