The Anonymous Widower

Malcolm Turnbull

I had never really heard much about Malcolm Turnbull, who was the leader of the Australian Liberal Party.  But he wrote a thoughtful article in The Times on Sunday.  The title says it all, It’s reckless to be a sceptic on global warming.

He makes some interesting points.  Take these key paragraphs.

I recognise that many people are sceptical about the science. But as Margaret Thatcher pointed out 20 years ago, this is an exercise in risk management. Given that the consequences of unchecked global warming would be catastrophic, responsible leaders should give the planet the benefit of the doubt. Few of us imagine our house is going to burn down tonight, but most of us will have taken out insurance.

So the political or indeed moral issue is not whether you are totally convinced by the climate change thesis, but what you propose to do about it. Being sceptical about climate change is not unreasonable; doing nothing about it is reckless.

He’s right.  Those that advocate doing nothing are just plain wrong.

He also makes the point that most climate change deniers have their youth behind them.  That is curious or is it that they have saved for and want to enjoy their retirement and then all these restrictions come along and ruin it.

I certainly am no climate change denier and know we must cut emissions.  But we should do it in a scientifically correct way, that will deliver large cuts, so that we leave our descendants the maximum benefit.

December 21, 2009 - Posted by AnonW | News | Global Warming/Zero-Carbon, Politics, Scientifically Correct