I can't make up my mind on Global Warming...no wait, I can

[Image: Global Warming]I’ve seen a few posts recently (notably this one, and this one) that have had me thinking about global warming and how it’s becoming an increasingly big issue in our daily lives.

Every time I think about a debate in general, I tend to assume that there are two sides to an issue for a reason. In other words, I don’t automatically discount the arguments of my opposition. It’s a good habit to get into because I think it makes you both more aware of the flaws in your own arguments, and better able to, well, present a targeted argument.

It surprises me, then, that we are so collectively misdirected in the debate about Global Warming.

It seems like everyone wants to argue about whether or not Global Warming (or, to be more accurage, Global Climate Change) is occurring. It’s occurring. Every reputable source I can come up with says that the Earth’s Climate, by region, is changing. Probably even Michael Chrichton would agree.

In my mind the “debate” boils down to a confrontation between those who are unwilling to admit that the changes occurring in our environment are a problem, and those who are trying to point out that changes are happenening.

Of course, the vast majority on both sides are too lazy or too comfortable to actually want to do anything to accomodate, so it’s largely academic anyway.

But it can’t be for long. Whether you think it’s a natural phenomenon or something that we’ve somehow exacerbated as a species, changes are happening. What we need to start arguing about is how to go about adapting to the changes, or a lot of problems are going to crop up.

I think I agree with Fred - this solution is going to have to come from economics, not politics.