Nicholas Stern says climate change worse than he thought 4

Comments View as Flat

1. 

   Wolverine Posted 4:28 am
   17 Apr 2008

   Wrong Person"[H]e backs carbon sequestration, nuclear power, and renewable energy."
   The first two are great examples of why economists are NOT the people to whom to look for environmental solutions.

   Permalink

2. 

   Matt Posted 9:46 pm
   17 Apr 2008

   Actually....I think that an economist backing sequestration and nuclear power is perfectly done. See, economists have their sense of professional ethics too (even if most of them won't admit it) and if the focus of his report is the Bottom Line, then from a purely academic point of view, nuclear power and carbon capture are perfectly reasonable suggestions.
   Now, I imagine that if you asked him as a person and not an economist he might agree that his first two options are not ideal, but that was outside the scope of his paper.
   Let's give credit where it's due... This guy went in a different direction than most economists and even double checked his math to make his point. Greenies don't have too many respected economists even remotely in their camp so let's not run this one off by jumping the gun.

   Permalink

3. 

   JoshS Posted 11:50 pm
   17 Apr 2008

   I agree with you bothStern deserves credit for admitting his mistake, something that economists almost never seem to do.  Especially as they almost always prove themselves wrong.
   But I agree with Wolverine's primary point...economists should not be making the science/policy/action decisions on their flawed cost/benefit analysis.
   One day that'll mean geo-engineering because a few economists think it's the "lowest cost" solution.
   The world of nature doesn't acknowledge our human view of economics.  

   Permalink

4. 

   usandthem Posted 2:03 am
   19 Apr 2008

   OkStern did bring up very important issues about the environment and has raised a hew and cry about the dangers of global warming.I thank him for that,but I can't let myself get on board the nuclear train.We can't safely dispose of nuclear waste and nuclear waste is dangerous at all levels.Throw in corruption in the form of Big Business and politicians and that is a brew that can and will backfire and destroy the land and water as well as alot of people.It is too late to say "I'm sorry" when you let the genie out of the bag.

   Permalink