Interesting argument that prescriptions being called for are good for us even if the diagnosis is wrong?
An excerpt.
Forecast is cloudy at climate conference
California is praised for plan to cut greenhouse gases, but some worry that such steps may be too little, too late.
By Edie Lau - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, September 14, 2006
On the heels of California passing landmark global-warming legislation, climate scientists gathered in Sacramento Wednesday still doubtful that the public is ready to do what it takes to minimize climate change.
"If we go down the path of business-as-usual, we will, as a result, be producing a different planet," NASA scientist James Hansen said during his keynote speech at the Climate Change Research Conference.
Later, in response to a question, he said the state's new law limiting greenhouse gases is a step in the right direction.
But, he added, "It's not as effective as it could be, since some businesses are likely to move out of the state. It's courageous that California is willing to take actions on its own."
Hansen is one of more than 300 people from science and environment circles in California and beyond to attend the state-sponsored conference. The meeting, which began Wednesday at the Radisson Hotel and continues through Friday, is the third such annual event, but the first since California's law was adopted last month...
...Not wanting to be a doomsayer, Hansen offered this prescription for moderating global warming:
• Limit the use of coal to power plants that capture and sequester their carbon dioxide exhaust.
• Adopt a carbon tax that rises gradually to discourage the use of fossil fuels and to encourage the development of alternatives.
The specter of severe climate change aside, those measures would benefit society, Hansen said, ending his presentation with a slide that read: "What's so bad about clean air?"
