Originally Posted by Franc Rauscher
CO2 is rising. No one can dispute it. CO2 emmisions are generaly the result of man's activities. No logical observer can truly dispute that either.
So why do deniers keep trying?
I would suggest that despite the fearmongering shouts to the contrary, we are not at a "tipping point."
This is based on what exactly? The climate system is BIG and CO2 hangs around for a long time. If we keep putting CO2 into the air, there will come a point where the inertia of the climate system will take us into dangerous territory.
I would suggest instead, that we proceed with caution, not haste. I would further suggest that if the US wants to be a leader in that effort, it needs to do so with a robust economy, a robust military, and a robust program of acceptable solutions.
I don't think there's any danger we'll move too quickly. That certainly hasn't been the pattern so far. I expect we'll take some half-measures which will surely be watered down by conservatives. We're going to find out exactly what it's like to try to survive in a 4x or 5x CO2 world.
So let us not hobble our economy further. Let us unleash the industry that is restrained by overregulation and government interventions.
There's nothing stopping industry from developing alternative fuels right now. Heck, they can get tax breaks out the wazoo for it. Worries about "overregulation and government interventions" are hooey.
The businesses of the world are as concerned about the fututre as any tree hugger. They live here as well and after all, are not in the purpose of suicide. They want a long life and future for their progeny as well as anyone. And, they have as much right to expect it.
Businesses exist to return profits to shareholders as quickly as possible. If screwing the planet in 100 years is the cost of getting a bump in share prices today, I don't doubt that they'd do it.
Any solution to Climate change or Global warming has to include economic growth. Carlin"s Point BTW. Otherwise we are doomed to a return to pre-industrial life. I would think the average Yank would not do well as a serf in a medievil village lifestyle.
"Pre-industrial life" would be even worse for the planet. We need new technologies, not a return to the stone age. "Pre-industrial" energy sources are far dirtier than solar panels and wind turbines.