I am an engineer as well as a teacher which means I can do some calculations regarding what is going on.
We have many historical records that indicate there has been changes in climate as well a temperature records from the last 150 years. Historical records indicate a Medieval warm period and a warm period during the Roman Empire that were warmer than today with periods between these that were cooler than today. Changes in climate are the result of both natural actions and human actions. Reducing the effects of human action is responsible stewardship whereas attempting to counteract natural actions can create unexpected harm. ie like Pilot-Induced Oscillations
Reducing human carbon dioxide emissions is responsible stewardship provided all the actions taken reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For example, actions taken that cause power supplies to become more unreliable or more expensive can result in more emissions. For the vast majority of people, environmental protection is a higher order (Self-Fulfillment) need, so basic and physiological needs must be fulfilled first for people to support environmental protection. In practice it looks like this. If the NRG power station in Gladstone was closed down today, business and individuals would start up a fleet of small diesel generators that are not as fuel efficient as the NRG Power Station so the total emissions would increase. (NRG can supply cheap power because it can produce more power per kg of fuel than small generators can.)
Reusing equipment, especially large amounts of it, reduces the need for manufacturing materials and so reduces emissions. It is better to bore six deep geothermal wells at NRG using them to replace the six boilers,one by one, keeping the power station operating reliably. When all the boilers have been replaced, the power station will continue to produce power that is reliable. Without the fuel cost it should become cheaper and there will be zero emissions.
