10 Propositions on Climate Change and politics

Prepared for a seminar at the BBC, 26 January 2006

1 For now, no Westerners will go much beyond what is cheap and convenient.
2 They will only do what they believe will improve the lives of their children.
3 They won’t disadvantage themselves compared with other Westerners.
4 They will note that the Third World is greatly increasing greenhouse emissions.
5 Our being “past the point of no return” is a de-motivating thought.
6 “Marginal activity produces marginal benefit” is a de-motivating thought.
7 Energy insecurity and scarcity may be motivating factors.
8 Westerners, and rich Westerners especially, would hate equitable rationing.
9 The poor anywhere hate price increases even more than the rich.
10 Big firms often love government interference, small firms usually hate it.