Check out this interview with Bjorn Lomborg from the CBC (RealPlayer). It is a touch dated but it is a fascinating discussion. Unfortunately some of it comes to down to the classic Olympics in Toronto argument (or Senate reform, see below). The arguments goes that Toronto needs a rapid transit link from Pearson Int'l to downtown and if the city can get the Olympics than such a thing cab built. I tend to think that if you need it then find the will to build it - knowing full well that it is much easier to find the will if you get a boondoggle like the Olympics in your city.
Anyways, Dr. Lomborg argues there are a great many things that we should be doing to solve global problems before we get to global climate change. I find his argument compelling but unfortunately I don't see Al Gore preparing a movie to bring back DDT.
Comments (3)
Presumably you are always opposed to tax cuts because the money could be better spent on fighting AIDS, Malaria, etc.
Posted by Declan | December 15, 2006 2:03 AM
Posted on December 15, 2006 02:03
You obviously did not listen to the interview. Lomborg, a self-described lefty, states that worrying about global problems is a luxury for rich states and the best thing we can do to solve global problems is help the third-world increase their standard of living through fixing the above problems and structural things like free trade. The solution is not to slow down the first world through taxation that stifles the economy and innovation and lowers our standard of living.
Posted by Greg Staples | December 15, 2006 8:56 AM
Posted on December 15, 2006 08:56
I listened to about 10 minutes or so, but he started to get pretty boring. As I recall, he was talking about, among other things, the need for treated nets to fight malaria. It is not clear to me how cutting taxes is a more effective strategy than buying nets to accomplish this goal.
Posted by Declan | December 15, 2006 11:52 AM
Posted on December 15, 2006 11:52