Are the potential costs to the US economy worth the cost of proposed climate policies to address the issue?
While there are differing views among scientists regarding global warming, do you believe that the potential costs to the american economy (in terms of diminished economic growth, jobs, and higher costs for goods and services) worth the cost of proposed climate policies to address the issue. If so, why? Or do you believe this money should be spent on other priorities? If so, why??
Absolutely. In fact, California and Florida each did studies which showed that by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they’ll SAVE money!
http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/23/the-savings-from-cutting-californias-carbon-outweigh-the-costs/
http://climateprogress.org/2008/10/17/florida-part-1-a-50-ghg-cut-by-2025-will-save-the-state-28-billion/
Also see Myth #11 here:
http://greenhome.huddler.com/wiki/global-warming-myths
Nope.
Trying to change the climate is a waste of money.
It is cheaper & more effective to just adapt or move.
Even if humans were having a "catastrophic" affect on climate, what would it help for the U.S. and Europe to waste their time and money with idiotic stuff such as the kyoto accord when China, and India, along with a host of other emerging countries will just keep doing what their doing. How does that make any sense? We’ve got to "set an example"? These are countries not children, they’ll act in their best interest.
In other words what you question is asking is for the cost benefit analysis of global warming.
This exact question was asked to a group of leading expert economists including five who are Nobel laureates. There conclusion was that it was not worth it. The world could do a lot more good to help the poor if the money was invested elsewhere.
http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/Default.aspx?ID=788
The effects of global warming will cost many times the cost of reducing co2 outputs now.
Interesting comment Eric C but actually the Copenhagen consensus think that global warming is "a major global challenge"
http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/Default.aspx?ID=1148