Few things are more appealing in politics than something for nothing. As Congress begins considering anti-global-warming legislation, environmentalists hold out precisely that tantalizing prospect: We can conquer global warming at virtually no cost. Here's a typical claim, from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF):
"For about a dime a day [per person], we can solve climate change, invest in a clean energy future, and save billions in imported oil."
This sounds too good to be true, because it is.
About four-fifths of the world's and America's energy comes from fossil fuels -- oil, coal, natural gas. Re-engineering the world energy system is an almost impossible undertaking. Just consider America's energy needs in 2030, as estimated by the Energy Information Administration (EIA):
Compared with 2007, the United States is projected to have almost 25 percent more people (375 million), an economy about 70 percent larger ($20 trillion) and 27 percent more light-duty vehicles (294 million).
The selling of the green economy involves much economic make-believe...
READ MORE
No comments:
Post a Comment