Greenspan on climate change 3

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1. 

   thebrowze Posted 7:09 am
   22 Sep 2007

   not necessarily contradictoryAs I have not read the book myself I can only go off the passages you have quoted.
   Dr. Greenspans arguements about technology, higher carbon prices, and lower output aren't necessarily contradictory.  Raising the price of energy without finding new technologies to increase efficiency and counteract the higher prices will lower output and cost jobs and GDP growth.  But higher prices will spur the innovation to find new technologies, just like you mentioned (in part I) happened in the late 70's with gasoline prices and fuel efficiency.  These aren't mutually exclusive, in fact it is likely that both will happen if we raise the price of emissions.
   Any development period longer than one election cycle will be "too protracted for political comfort", so that is irrelevant.  It doesn't seem to me in these passages that Greenspan is arguing that we shouldn't raise the prices of emission simply because it would cost jobs, he is pointing it out to show why we lack the political will to do so.  Many of Greenspan's interest rate increases earlier this decade cost jobs because of slowed growth, but he was obviously alright with those.  It doesn't seem to me that Greenspan pointing out that something will hurt the economy in the short term is the same thing as him arguing we shouldn't do it, as evidenced by many of his actions as Federal Reserve Chairman.

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2. 

   GreyFlcn Posted 7:59 am
   22 Sep 2007

   Well I will say thisAlan Greenspan certainly does look like Rupert Murdoch :P

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3. 

   Pangolin Posted 2:02 pm
   22 Sep 2007

   US made hybrids are a joke.There really aren't any really efficient hybrids made by US automakers. I'm quite sure they are refusing to make them because once they make a few that makes their arguements against CAFE standards moot.
   The auto industry's biggest nightmare is that consumers start to see cars as a means of transportation primarily and less a means of emotional gratification.
   An all wheel drive, series hybrid is just not as effective as a GMC Yukon at intimidating other traffic. Electric motors just can't be convinced to Vroom at stop lights. Scale up a Prius body to Hummer sizes and it looks like you are driving a bus.
   Let the big three commit market suicide. Fine with me. My little town has Prius and Civic hybrids in it's fleet.
   
   Put the Carbon Back

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