Wednesday, August 24, 2011

We got bigger problems than climate change

I read an article that says people are laughing at Gov. Perry for doubting climate change. But remember, who laughs last laughs hardest. Unfortunately, when you laugh last on this issue, you will be laughing at your own doom. It won't be satisfying in the least.

The economic model being followed has a rendezvous with disaster. Look, the spending is 10% plus of GDP, but it is only generating modest growth. Anytime that anyone tries to cut back on spending, shrieks of protest emanate from the defenders of this model. This is proof positive that the model itself is unsound. The model of deficit spending should not be one of permanence, but of a temporary measure, that will allow growth to return. Once growth returns, spending should stop. But if you have to spend this much for this long, you have admitted that there isn't anything that can restore growth. It is implied in your protest of spending cuts.

What could restore growth? Development of our energy resources. But this is also being blocked by the same people who insist upon all this excessive spending. Now, let's set aside this argument about what causes climate change and just consider this fact alone. What kind of position will we be in if there is no growth and our debt becomes too crushing to service, yet we still have fossil fuels running our economy? I think the answer should be obvious. We will be too weak economically to change what we are doing. So, the argument is meaningless. You have to be strong enough economically to do something about climate change before you can actually do it. We won't be if we continue on the current path we are on. Our current problems are bigger than climate change.

Where will be research dollars come from if there isn't anybody who has any more money? When it comes to bare survival, who will care about climate change? The movement to combat climate change implies economic security. What if there isn't any such thing? The worse environmental damage that is occurring in the world today is in the developing countries. What if that becomes the norm? How will the environment fare in that circumstance?

If the current policy prevails for the years after the next election, it may not be satisfying to say "I told you so". By that time, no one will have a sense of humor anymore and we will be lucky if anyone will ever be in the mood to laugh again.

If that seems too dire to you, just keep in mind what has happen in history. The collapse of civilizations is not a gentle and easy thing. There will be massive disruptions and great misery. No one will escape its effects.

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