Climate Change: What's your take?

[SamuelRSmith]

pokoko said:
The way I see it, the odds are good that human waste emissions are, at the least, exacerbating climate change. At the worst, they're the main catalyst. If we try to minimize the damage and it turns out that they aren't a major factor, then what is the real harm? However, what if we do nothing and the outcome is that they are really bad and the world is irreversibly screwed? Will people just go, "oops, my bad?"

Logic would say to err on the side of caution, especially since we know other pollutants have caused irrefutable damage to the environment.

Honestly, though, the one thing that really, really bugs me is how many people form their opinions on this based solely on the stance of their political party of choice and whichever political entertainer they follow. Think for yourself, people.

Zkuq said:

GribbleGrunger said:

My take is:

We can decide it's absolutely stupid and do nothing about it only to find out when it's too late it was true, OR, we can accept it's true, do something about it and prevent a catastrophe, leaving us with no proof whatsoever it was ever true. Scenario one is fine if you're a smoker and endangering only your own life (and perhaps a few family members and friends) but when it comes to risking the human race scenario two is your only option.

 

The issue with these points is that it assumes that fighting global warming is costless. You present it as if fighting climate change and being wrong will be without cost.

The truth is that in order to switch to green energy/manufacturing, billions will suffer reduced standards of living, and millions will die. That is the reality of these proposals.