| 04 January 2008
An Inconveniently Uncertain TruthWhat if the intelligence on climate change is as bad as Iraq?
Why is the earth warming? Are humans causing it, and if so, what can we do? There certainly is no scientific consensus on these questions, as even MIT scientists are doubting the human impact. And if there is one argument that opponents to climate change legislation wield most often, it is that the unsettled nature of the scientific debate over climate change counsels patience and delay. They ask, why would we spend money defending against an uncertain threat?
The Earth has given no good answer as to why it's hot, just like MIMS
The ironic part of this debate, of course, is the degree to which these opinions are reversed when the ideological tables are turned, and the question turns to national defense. The same talking heads who urge caution and scientific certainty before climate change legislation is enacted are many of the same ones who claimed that intelligence "evidence" of Saddam Hussein's WMDs justified immediate military action.
Indeed, America's entire national defense budget is an expensive exercise in uncertainty. We spend $440 billion a year on threats that may or may not materialize - and mostly haven't, for the past six years since 9/11. How is this case of an unversed policy-maker's best interpretation of the seriousness of divergent expert opinion less justified when he is gauging threats from climate change, instead of military attack?
The answer is that the two are equivalent. This nation cannot afford to await disaster before prophylactic methods are taken, whether from rogue states, terrorist cells, or climate change. But neither do we want a recklessly aggressive policy that causes more harm than good (see Bush Doctrine). Americans should instead ask, how should we balance necessary assertiveness with intelligence and reasonability? In other words, how do we avoid the Iraq of climate change?
This organization, as usual, has the solution. This organization supports the gradual imposition of a carbon tax, with proceeds to subsidize the development of nuclear power as well as to protect against potential property damage caused by climate change. The carbon tax will slowly discourage investment in carbon-heavy technology, and create an incentive for more environmentally-friendly innovation. At the same time, the proceeds from the tax will help to improve America's general environmental impact, by helping develop the only technology capable of solving every environmental challenge this country faces. Whether or not melted Arctic ice sheets will end up submerging the East Coast in the process is beyond the question. We'll be prepared either way.
American policy should never wait for a disaster to strike; it should instead seek to prevent the disaster from ever occurring. Such is the purpose, both of a humble yet assertive defense policy, and a market-friendly yet proactive climate change policy. This country has no room for hysterics in either issue, whether from Sheryl Crow's nescient policy proposals or Max Boot's misguided embrace of American imperialism. But more importantly, this nation has no room for ignorance of impending threats, whether from the willful ignorance of climate indices or the myopic belief that America is not at risk of attack. QED.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
nike air max
said:
 |
... http://www.myairmaxstore.com Rubber outsole with Waffle pattern delivers durability and traction.Air Max 2011 Flex grooves in the forefoot give enhanced flexibility. Air Max 2011 Nike We can only expect more Air Max Turbulence+ retro running shoe models to get the Air Attack touch as Nike continues to play with tonal color schemes. Nike Air Max 2010 Nike recently introduced a new colorway of the historic Nike Air Max 90 running shoe Air Max 2010 in White / Anthracite – Purple.Purple accents are seen on the air max bubble, tongue, and inner lining, Black Air Max 95 giving the sneaker some shock value. |
nike air max 2010 mens white gray blue
said:
 |
... nike air max 2010 nike air max www.hot-running-shoes.com |
nike shoes
said:
 |
... Saw your this article, let me producing the hope to the community again. is a fire that you let my in the mind set alight the hope afresh, is you make my heart cold ashes burn again, is you rescued me a stirs the cool stirring the cool heart! |
cheap adidas f50
said:
 |
... She kept true to the party's nationalist theme, but, in an Cheap Adidas Adipure attempt to widen her electoral base, vowed to tone down the xenophobic legacy of her father. http://www.cheapadidasf50.com/ lonny |
Mulberry Outlet
said:
 |
... Mulberry Clutch utilize the best available technologies in its design, utilizing bendable frames that aren't only comfortable and soft to use but the fact that your lenses of Michael Kors Handbags are generally flexible means that they can tolerate a very level of use in addition to abuse yet still hold the elegant designs how the Prada name known for. Self-confidence throughout one’s individual capacity and triumphs are the highlight of the Prada brand name and this confidence is extremely visible in its distinct Prada glasses. lonny |
Tamatha Lira
said:
 |
... And if there is one argument that opponents to climate change legislation wield most often, it is that the unsettled nature of the scientific debate over climate change counsels patience and delay. |
Lavern Andrew
said:
 |
... Americans should instead ask, how should we balance necessary assertiveness with intelligence and reasonability? In other words, how do we avoid the Iraq of climate change? |
Latonia Francisco
said:
 |
... And if there is one argument that opponents to climate change legislation wield most often, it is that the unsettled nature of the scientific debate over climate change counsels patience and delay. |
