The only sane approach to climate change.
Pascal wrote that it only makes sense to live as though God exists, since you have nothing to lose by doing so, even if God turns out not exist; whereas to live without faith carries immense risks if God actually does exist - i.e. eternal damnation.
Be that as it may, a similar (identical, in fact) logic applies to climate change.
To develop renewable and sustainable energy sources carries no downside, yet increases energy independence, is good for the environment, enhances national security and economic stability, and will ultimately save people money. It also opens up a new set of industries in which American ingenuity and diligence can lead the world (whereas now we are letting China dominate these industries unchallenged).
All these benefits accrue even if there turns out to be no man-made impact on global climate.
And if climate change is real, then we gain the enormous additional benefit of slowing it down, possibly reversing it, and certainly ceasing to aggravate it.
On the other hand, failing to modify behavior and develop renewable and sustainable energies aggravates the problem, provides no alternatives to switch to before it becomes too late, and may actually cause - CAUSE, mind you - a global catastrophe.
This should be a no brainer. Making the wrong wager on climate change may not risk eternal damnation, but it is certainly the act of a damned fool.
Be that as it may, a similar (identical, in fact) logic applies to climate change.
To develop renewable and sustainable energy sources carries no downside, yet increases energy independence, is good for the environment, enhances national security and economic stability, and will ultimately save people money. It also opens up a new set of industries in which American ingenuity and diligence can lead the world (whereas now we are letting China dominate these industries unchallenged).
All these benefits accrue even if there turns out to be no man-made impact on global climate.
And if climate change is real, then we gain the enormous additional benefit of slowing it down, possibly reversing it, and certainly ceasing to aggravate it.
On the other hand, failing to modify behavior and develop renewable and sustainable energies aggravates the problem, provides no alternatives to switch to before it becomes too late, and may actually cause - CAUSE, mind you - a global catastrophe.
This should be a no brainer. Making the wrong wager on climate change may not risk eternal damnation, but it is certainly the act of a damned fool.