The High Cost of Green

It’s human nature to assign blame for catastrophic events. In medieval times, witches were blamed for weather woes. Trials and burnings increased when weather got worse. In hurricane season today, many find a scapegoat in global warming.

Pundits tell us “ignoring the science of climate change will hurt us” (Kristina Ball at NBC) and a Washington Post editorial declares the Trump administration complicit.

2013-01-24 Read Bjorn Lomborg's reaction to the description of global warming in President Obama's inaugural address.

Lomborg argues that global warming is indeed a problem that needs fixing. However, exaggerating the threat concentrates resources in the wrong areas and often distracts us from simple, cheaper and smarter solutions. 

Today, world leaders and their entourages will disembark from carbon-spewing jets in New York to sign the world’s costliest-ever climate change treaty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among them. Lit by the flashbulbs of the world’s press and warmed by their sense of accomplishment, these politicians will pat each other on the back and declare a job well done. The reality is that the so-called >“Paris Treaty” is a hugely expensive way of doing very little.