Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtlethargic
A cost-benefit analysis?! What are the possible benefits that might come from risking climate catastrophe?
|
You've made the first and biggest mistake right off the batt; assuming a conclusion that isn't in evidence.
Humanity has been benefiting mightily from warming that began 20,000 years ago. The questions that need to be answered in this order are:
1. At what level of warming are the benefits outweighed by the negative outcomes (breakeven)?
2. Is it feasible to hold global temperature to the level that maximally benefits humanity?
3. What CO2 concentration would maintain that ideal global temperature, and what would the global emissions need to be to maintain that?
4. How do we get global buy-in to achieve these targets?
It's possible, and maybe even probable that the answer to #2 is no.
Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
That's your prescription? What is this 'the world' of which you speak?
|
It's meant to show how unlikely that would be. There's no more effective strategy I can think of that involves exertion of government force. If there isn't buy-in from the largest populations, then a unilateral effort is worse than meaningless because it disadvantages that group for zero benefit.
My broader point is that any effort that isn't tax-based is ignorance at best, political corruption at worst (and probably both).
Anyhow, more likely is that we'll organically solve these problems through normal innovation from capitalistic motivation and declining population growth.
...now back on topic, what is your favorite IPA and Scotch?