Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

A short primer on climate change and the greenhouse issue

By Garth Paltridge - posted Thursday, 21 June 2001


Third, one could perhaps justify the expenditure purely on the grounds of the precautionary principle. Most people would wish to prevent the possibility of some unforseen and disastrous change of climate which might basically alter the structure and economic well-being of human society.

Fourth, one could perhaps justify the expenditure on the grounds that there are indeed significant risks for the smaller and less economically diverse countries. One can argue that it is the moral responsibility of the wealthier nations to remove such risks.

Finally, one can of course justify a 'no regrets' policy of encouraging expenditure on actions which are otherwise sensible. Among these are improvements in the efficiency of machinery and forms of transport which rely on petroleum fuel.

Advertisement

The fundamental question still to be answered is whether, in view of the uncertainties associated both with the science and the economics of the matter, it would be cheaper and more sensible to spend money on adaptation to climate change if and when it occurs. The question has been more-or-less deliberately excluded from much of the national and international debate in order not to divert attention from efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission.

Climate change is now essentially a problem for politicians and social scientists. Their task has become peculiarly difficult because the overall issue has become something of a symbol – almost a religious symbol – of all that is bad or profligate about human society.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. Page 4
  6. All

This is an edited and abridged extract from an article that was first published in Quadrant, April 2001.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Emeritus Professor Garth Paltridge is an atmospheric physicist and was a Chief Research Scientist with the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research before taking up positions in Tasmania as Director of the Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies and CEO of the Antarctic Cooperative Research Centre. He retired in 2002 and continues to live in Hobart. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania and a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Garth Paltridge
Related Links
Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies
University of Tasmania
Photo of Garth Paltridge
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy