( - promoted by Eric B.)
This was in yesterday's News, but it's just as fresh and bright and lively today. The debate is supposed to be about combating climate change. But when the Senate takes up energy and climate legislation this summer, another word will be in the forefront: jobs. Nationwide, and particularly for Michigan, the issue of economic impact is likely to determine support for legislation to limit emissions of carbon and other gases that cause rising global temperatures. After a bruising battle in the House yielded narrow passage of a bill to limit greenhouse gas emissions, attention now turns to a handful of key senators -- including both of Michigan's -- who could determine the fate of a key goal of the Obama administration.
This framing is a guaranteed defeat for cap-and-trade. You can ignore the sober, real analysis that says this will have little impact on the economy. Unfortunately, environmental programs are always fought on the flawed idea that they destroy jobs. This has never been the case, but the idea has persisted nonetheless and the assumption is that it is true, which means fighting global warming in terms of job losses is going to guarantee in the bill not getting proper support. This is especially the case with loud and angry and scientifically illiterate Libertarians and conservatives gathering this weekend, with one eye on cap-and-trade. The debate should be about the future, that is building a sustainable future. The debate should focus on how to avoid climate catastrophe, with a sober eye on the necessary costs in doing that. The costs, shouted incoherently from the Right, are unfortunately hogging the debate. |
