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ibis · #10 (**permalink**) 11th February 2009

Reprise:

1. I am not convinced that there is man-made global warming. I'm not saying it isn't true. I'm saying it has not been proven to my satisfaction. Admittedly, I know nothing about the science as such, and was entirely unaware that there was an issue before it was politicised, so I'm ignoring the long build-up of evidence that led to the politicisation - but, hey, why not? Aside from anything else, my denial is now a political badge of allegiance.

2. Even if it is true, I believe its extent and its ill effects have been exaggerated and its possible benefits ignored. Sure, I've no idea what those benefits might be, but there must be some, right? Stands to reason. Also, OK, I haven't bothered checking what ill effects are actually scientifically predicted, but I'm sure Hollywood wouldn't have made "Day After Tomorrow" without checking the facts with a scientist, right? And that film was just so unlikely!

3. Even if it is true, it is a mistake to put the government in charge of saving the planet because, with the exception of killing people and seizing and destroying property, government isn't good at anything. Why rely on this incompetent, corrupt institution to save the planet? It can't even plow your street properly. I mean, sure it can organise public utilities like streetlighting and sewerage and other stuff like that - plus welfare payments, tax, policing, libraries, schools, roads, railways, public health measures, and so on, but I'm well enough off to prefer purely private services in any case rather than rub shoulders with the plebs.

4. Even if it is true, I favor the government doing nothing about it since everyone on the planet is fully capable of responding to the crisis by changing their behavior in ways that quickly and dramatically reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The market mechanism will be available to provide them with all the goods and services they need in this venture. Now, fair enough, I won't be doing anything about it myself because I don't believe in it, and in any case it hardly makes any difference if I continue to drive my hummer of choice, right? I mean, it's not me polluting the planet - my contribution is insignificant - but I'm sure the lentil-eaters will make up for it.

5. Even if it is true, I oppose giving government remedial power since this is a recipe for a totalitarian state. That is, since everything we do, including breathing, worsens global warming, then, logically, this would give the government absolute, ruthless, save the planet-type power over everything we do, every single moment of the day, forever! Heaven forfend the government should organise stuff - the Dark Ages were great!