G20 leaders reach climate agreement, set carbon neutral goal for 'around mid-century’

If you don’t learn from history, you’re bound to repeat it. Here in Saint-Denis, northern Paris, a history lesson is sorely needed.

Thousands are gathering here for the 21st international global warming meeting. Hotels are already near-full, broadcasters are setting up, protestors are preparing to roar.

All because this summit is "the last chance" to avert dangerous temperature rises, if we listen to the Earth League or a bunch of others. It’s going to be "too late" if a meaningful treaty isn’t negotiated here in the next few days, says the French president.

Bjorn Lomborg, President of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, talks about the costs and benefits of attacking climate change with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Lomborg argues that we should always be aware of tradeoffs and effectiveness when assessing policies to reduce global warming. He advocates for realistic solutions that consider the potential to improve human life in other ways. He is skeptical of the potential to move away from fossil fuels and argues that geo-engineering and adaptation may be the most effective ways to cope with climate change.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declared last week that “the world is gonna end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change.” The freshly minted congresswoman skewered anyone who’d want to talk about the cost of global-warming policies, given the looming doomsday. Yes, her full remarks made it clear she only meant that the world would begin to end in 12 years if we don’t act. But she was still wildly wrong.