I'm going to weigh in when I shouldn't, because I'm ignorant and
feeling loquacious. Stephen and I used to discuss this issue. Also
dinosaurs. Being a historian of Science, he knew stuff I didn't. He
assured me that birds really are the descendants of dinosaurs. I don't
know why I objected. Perhaps if I knew why I believe what I believe, I
might know if I know etc. But on the subject of global warming, for
the sake of ...I usually argued as Paul Stone does; we know that there
have been massive fluctuations in the earth's climate in the past so
what's to suggest that the present is fundamentally different? Yes,
we're experiencing climate change, but the rest sounds like some
version of guilt. "Woe, woe, and thrice woe," as Frankie Howard's
Roman used to say.
Stephen usually responded as Robert Paul has; there is considerable
evidence of a link between human effect and climate cause. Yes, I
said, but what does "considerable" amount to? If we all took to
bicycles, would the South Pole stop melting?
The agreement we reached was that picking out elements in a pattern was
a subject for future historians. There's no doubt that the climate is
changing and that modifying our effect on the environment would be a
good contribution. Engineers, I think, are sensible about such
matters. For every decision there is a cost. We must weigh how best
to make decisions. One example: our household is discussing buying a
hybrid vehicle. Economically the savings versus the additional cost of
the vehicle don't pencil out. But the gummint is offering a cash
rebate, which brings down the cost of the "good" vehicle. But (again)
they're only offering the rebate to people who don't pay the gloriously
named "alternative minimum tax." We do. So we don't qualify. So how
best to make this decision? I can go thirty or more miles per U.S.
gallon in a Honda Civic. I can go forty or so miles per U.S. gallon in
a Toyota Prius. I pay such a premium for the Prius that I don't recoup
the difference before ten years. Why, then, do I buy the Prius?
Because Global Warming is happening?
David Ritchie, wishing there were the latest European diesels in Portland, Oregon
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