Innovation not global regulation will save the planet

A spell of extremely hot weather has hit Europe this month, bringing with it a raft of apocalyptic headlines. Named Charon, after the boatman in Greek mythology who navigated the river Styx into Hades, the heatwave has immediately been linked to climate change and, by extension, humanity’s faltering attempts to combat it.

COPENHAGEN – Since the Copenhagen climate summit’s failure, many politicians and pundits have pointed the finger at China’s leaders for blocking a binding, global carbon-mitigation treaty. But the Chinese government’s resistance was both understandable and inevitable. Rather than mustering indignation, decision-makers would do well to use this as a wake-up call: it is time to consider a smarter climate policy. China is unwilling to do anything that might curtail the economic growth that has enabled millions of Chinese to clamber out of poverty.

2013-05-27

Lomborg fordert Effizienz statt "Feel-Good-Politik"

Der Klimawandel werde derzeit falsch bekämpft, kritisiert der Statistiker Bjørn Lomborg. "Bisherige Lösungsansätze waren wirtschaftlich nicht attraktiv."

Nur mit moralischen Appellen bekomme man den Klimawandel jedoch nicht in den Griff. Er fordert, jährlich 72 Milliarden Euro in die Erforschung alternativer Energien zu stecken. "Dann werden sie in 20 bis 40 Jahren billiger sein als Öl." Das Geld könne aus Staatshaushalten oder einer Kohlendioxidsteuer kommen. "Zurzeit investieren wir nur 1,5 Milliarden."