The Inevitability of Global Climate Change: Lessons from Political and Economic Theory

摘要

Despite the growing number empirical studies (and scientific consensus) pointing to the devastating impacts of global warming (Peterson, Stott, and Herring, 2012), the evolution of leading atmospheric scientists and scientific organizations (e.g., American Meteorological Society) into advocates for programs and policies that mitigate carbon-based emissions, the climate-related concerns of some business leaders, and the prominence given climate change in President Barack Obama's second inaugural address, we must recognize that fundamental climate policy change will not occur in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, intransigence, disinterest, imaginary thinking, and inaction characterize both national and international political decision making when it comes to passing policies to reduce carbon emissions significantly.