“Solving Problems With Susan Solomon" Article Reflection No. 105 (7/21/2024)

Article: “Solving Problems With Susan Solomon”

Reflection: 

For The New York Times article “Solving Problems With Susan Solomon,” journalist Cara Buckley conducts an interview with Dr. Susan Solomon, a scientist and professor who helped administer the tests that led to the establishment of the Montreal Protocol, a universal treaty regulating CFCs (substances that deplete stratospheric ozone). In the interview, Dr. Solomon discusses her new book “Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do it Again” and its importance especially now with the backdrop of climate urgency. Dr. Solomon notes that renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are more affordable than fossil fuels. Furthermore, regarding the energy expenditure gaps between developing and developed states, there needs to be more renewable energy in the former in order to foster greener development, according to Dr. Solomon.

This interview really caught my eye because Dr. Solomon is someone I had the opportunity to research about for my National History Day (NHD) paper on the Montreal Protocol. Her statements about the Montreal Protocol and how that precedent provides more hope is something that really touches my heart because that was the reason why I chose this treaty as my NHD topic. As discussed in the interview, there are many different facets of environmental regulation that differentiate stratospheric ozone control from today’s fossil fuel carbon emission issue. However, people can still hold that underlying belief that cooperation and diplomacy can ultimately help Earth in unforeseen ways.