Let's ignore that I am not actually a scientist (though I do have a B.Sc. in Physics and work in the science field) so that I can use the title of the post to get me to this quote.
...The trouble with the global warming debate is that it has become a moral crusade when it's really an engineering problem. The inconvenient truth is that if we don't solve the engineering problem, we're helpless.
Scientific discovery within a free market economy has proven itself a revolutionary force over the last century. This is the future, not Kyoto. As is said, read the whole thing. (h/t Norman Spector)
Comments (4)
I wish I could have written that. My thoughts exactly.
This past weekend, the TO Star had a pro-Kyoto article. The article called for political will to cut back CO2 emissions world wide. That’s a call for more politicians and politicial activists and environmental scientists. Crazy.
This problem will only be solved by inventors, engineers, bankers, construction workers, etc. who build bigger dikes and dams, housing above a rising sea level and more efficient engines and turbines.
I have spent and continue to spend a lot of time in the developing world helping people develop (volunteer). Kyoto proposes starving these people to death OR making me considerably poorer and less mobile.
Kyoto has failed thus far. More Kyoto won’t help.
Posted by PlaidShirt | July 6, 2006 4:37 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 16:37
Sure, that is true. The question is, what political structures, if any, will be conducive to accelerating the development and rollout of the needed technology?
Posted by MarkC | July 6, 2006 4:49 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 16:49
A BSc in physics? Hey I think I may be a regular here.
Posted by John | July 6, 2006 8:31 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 20:31
“Sure, that is true. The question is, what political structures, if any, will be conducive to accelerating the development and rollout of the needed technology?”
In a way, I think it will simply come down to uncorrupt governments that spend their money on construction projects and not to stop economic activity that is energy related.
If governments blow their money on croneyism now (80% of the money goes to bureaucrats & bribes to build a road) those countries will feel the pain of global warming much more than those can efficiently build structures that can mitigate its affects.
At the same time, governments that bet everything on Kyoto and don’t set aside serious spending for new sea walls or relocation of citizens will be in for a lot of trouble.
They are many island nations that are betting everything on stopping global warming and rising sea levels. They need to have a back up plan for a tsunami in slow motion.
Ontario is shutting down multi-billion dollar generating stations. If global warming leads to lower rainfalls, we will need those coal fired stations to make up for loss in hydraulic power. The people of Ontario will pay for that decision.
Posted by Anonymous | July 7, 2006 12:12 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 12:12