Comments on: Vote for me or the kitten gets it! http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/ The Latest on Climate Science, Solutions, and Politics Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:31:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Jonas http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17770 Jonas Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:57:31 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17770 I think The Economist debates are a rather good format and of a high standard, because they invite interesting people. The previous debate was about the upsides to humanity of higher food prices. It was a very interesting debate. The "pro" vote (yes, higher food prices are good for the world and especially for the poor), won too, in that debate. On this new energy debate, I vote "pro" once more. All technologies are here for a smooth transition to a global post-coal, post-oil economy. We just have to rewrite accounting rules and rearrange subsidies to pull it off. If the true social and environmental costs of coal/oil are taken into account, virtually all renewables would beat fossil fuels hands down, today. Add the unequal (indirect) subsidies for these fossil fuels, and the picture looks even brighter. Switching to renewables is entirely a political affair. No longer a technological one. I think The Economist debates are a rather good format and of a high standard, because they invite interesting people.

The previous debate was about the upsides to humanity of higher food prices. It was a very interesting debate. The “pro” vote (yes, higher food prices are good for the world and especially for the poor), won too, in that debate.

On this new energy debate, I vote “pro” once more. All technologies are here for a smooth transition to a global post-coal, post-oil economy. We just have to rewrite accounting rules and rearrange subsidies to pull it off.

If the true social and environmental costs of coal/oil are taken into account, virtually all renewables would beat fossil fuels hands down, today. Add the unequal (indirect) subsidies for these fossil fuels, and the picture looks even brighter.

Switching to renewables is entirely a political affair. No longer a technological one.

]]> By: Paul K http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17774 Paul K Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:43:30 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17774 Joe, What fool is debating from the con position? There is no way to argue against the sufficiency of current technology especially if near pipeline items like plug-in hybrids are included. It is easier to argue that the changeover to 21st Century energy is very likely even under present law. Joe,
What fool is debating from the con position? There is no way to argue against the sufficiency of current technology especially if near pipeline items like plug-in hybrids are included. It is easier to argue that the changeover to 21st Century energy is very likely even under present law.

]]> By: Brewster http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17775 Brewster Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:54:18 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17775 I voted Pro, but it's quite obvious that there is no common definition of "Breakthrough Innovation". The Con statement seems to feel that solar/wind/PHEV still constitute breakthroughs... I voted Pro, but it’s quite obvious that there is no common definition of “Breakthrough Innovation”.

The Con statement seems to feel that solar/wind/PHEV still constitute breakthroughs…

]]> By: rpauli http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17776 rpauli Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:04:35 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17776 Well important breakthrough Innovations must include the already well known DeLorean time machine, with a Jigowatt flux capacitor and antimatter engines. Well important breakthrough Innovations must include the already well known DeLorean time machine, with a Jigowatt flux capacitor and antimatter engines.

]]> By: llewelly http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17779 llewelly Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:45:15 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17779 I voted Pro. I couldn't find anyone arguing the Con position. It's like they scheduled a debate between two guys who already agreed. I voted Pro. I couldn’t find anyone arguing the Con position. It’s like they scheduled a debate between two guys who already agreed.

]]> By: kenlevenson http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17781 kenlevenson Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:57:27 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17781 Nice to see "the pro" up by over 2 to 1 now. I was expecting some BI names to weigh in but they seem to have skipped the debate - too bad, could have made it more energetic. Nice to see “the pro” up by over 2 to 1 now. I was expecting some BI names to weigh in but they seem to have skipped the debate - too bad, could have made it more energetic.

]]> By: David B. Benson http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17785 David B. Benson Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:16:02 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17785 What do I have to do the vote? Pro of course. What do I have to do the vote? Pro of course.

]]> By: TomG http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17797 TomG Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:21:54 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-17797 I voted Pro. Seeking new tools means the job never gets done... I voted Pro.
Seeking new tools means the job never gets done…

]]> By: rpauli http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-18034 rpauli Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:38:18 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/08/19/vote-for-me-or-the-kitten-gets-it/#comment-18034 The obvious solution is not from us, but from the Singularity. Due to appear in 2030. As reported today in the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/science/26tier.html Says how Vernor Vinge predicted it, of course he doesn't mention climate instability, but that is the first thing it will have to fix. I feel so relieved after reading that. Ah... I think I will go draw a warm bath. Extra hot. The obvious solution is not from us, but from the Singularity. Due to appear in 2030.

As reported today in the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2008/ 08/ 26/ science/ 26tier.html

Says how Vernor Vinge predicted it, of course he doesn’t mention climate instability, but that is the first thing it will have to fix.

I feel so relieved after reading that.

Ah… I think I will go draw a warm bath. Extra hot.

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