Can we afford to fix global warming?

Answer 1

We can't afford to let it happen. Coastal flooding and damage to agriculture will cost us hundreds of billions.

But we can make money fixing it. Developing alternative energy technologies is going to be extremely profitable. Ditto carbon capture processes.

Answer 2

Yes we can! Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient ones. They'll save you money and save the world at the same time. Speaking of money, we just need to stop being so greedy for money and be willing to spend a few extra dollars to solve the problem of global warming. We solved the ozone layer problem by banning chloroflourocarbons, and we can do this too! Did you watch an Inconvenient Truth? It gives a lot of good info. And in one part, there was a picture of a balance. One side had gold bars on it, and the other had the earth. This is what it has come down to. Apparently, money is more important than the fate of the world. But what many people don't realize is that without the world, there would be no money!!! Fixing the problems can also benefit America's economy! America has the cars with the worst mileage and the ones which contribute to global warming. This is why nobody buys them! If this problem is fixed, our companies would prosper. Also, we have lately been having more natural disasters than ever before. If action against global warming isn't taken, these will continue to rise! Further, if we do not do something about global warming, many of the main cities in the world with be engulfed by water! This will lead to a displacement of many people and an economic collapse! So the real question is: can we not afford to fix global warming?

Answer 3

Wow, there's no subject that divides people quite like global warming.

The deniers- These people think global warming is something liberals just dreamed up and that they're trying to "trick" the public. Too bad overwhelming science supports global warming (see link below). But these people won't believe anything they don't want to believe.

The optimists- "we can save the world if we all switch light bulbs and drive ethanol cars!" Totally unrealistic view about both the scale of the problem and the way the world works.

As for your question, there have been numerous studies conducted by economists that weighed the cost of reducing global warming against the costs (yes, there are costs if we don't act- more violent storms, more disease, higher insurance premiums in coastal areas, etc) of not doing anything. One of the most famous studies, by Sir Nicholas Stern, found that stopping global warming would cost us 1% of global GDP, but letting it continue would reduce global economy by 20%. See the link for full story. Of course, other economists may disagree with some of the assumptions used in that study.

Regardless of what the cost of fixing/not fixing really is, the global warming skeptics are correct in one point at least- that it would be nearly impossible to stop because it would take worldwide cooperation, and other countries may not think it is worth the cost. This is sad but true. In the current economical/political reality, the needed changes will never be implemented.

Answer 4

Check out the Stern Review on the economics of climate change, which released its report in October 2006. This study was commissioned by the British government and coordinated by economist Nicholas Stern, and is the most complete evaluation of the economic effects of climate change to date.

The report's main conclusion is that if no action is taken to prevent climate change, it will cost between 5 to 20% of global GDP "now and forever". The good news is that the necessary action to stabilize CO2 levels will cost only around 1% of global GDP, if strong action is taken now.

So based on this, the answer is yes, not only can we afford to fix global warming, but that fixing global warming is the best deal.

Answer 5

First we need to address whether we can and/or should fix global warming. The data from the NCDC (which covers almost the entire Industrial Revolution), even when trended with an exponential curve (which would be the result of run-away warming), does not show an alarming increase within the next two or three centuries. That's really pushing the limits of extrapolation.

Answer 6

first off, there is no proff that global warming is being caused by us. over the life of the earth the mean tamp has varied greatly over the Gological time scale, a scale with is in 10,00o's of years to millions of years, the earth warms and cools as part of a natural cycle. I cant argue that we might not be helping it along but the environmantal laws in effect in teh US are the strongest that they have ever been, NPDES limits are going so low on some compounds that new test methods are having to be worked out to test for them at the new lower levels...Al Gore need to be shot

Answer 7

Here is something to think about. China is experiencing unprecedented uncontrolled growth. China plans to build hundreds of coal burning electric generating plants. Does anyone think that China cares what all that smoke will be doing to the biosphere? Which will China put first, economic growth or clean air? Will China even be willing to talk to other governments about it's role in polluting the air and contributing to global warming?

I think not.

Answer 8

I don't think so - not yet. When it becomes more of a threat to human life, then humans will change their priorities about this stuff. Right now it's too important to make a bottom line profit in America. Most industries use a 2 year pay-back model to decide where their money will be invested. Not until global warming starts to effect the ability to make money will they change their thinking. By then it may be too late. By then we may have passed the time of 'the straw breaking the camel's back'.

Answer 9

Can we afford not to fix global warming? Sometimes the price isn't paid in money. I don't really see that we have a choice. Sorry -k-

Answer 10

Get a clue dude. If all humans and their machines disappeared today the climate will keep running it's warming and cooling cycles just like it always has.