Comments on: Is the financial crisis more dire than the climate crisis? http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/ The Latest on Climate Science, Solutions, and Politics Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:18:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ollie http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-71146 Ollie Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:20:30 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-71146 I have the view that depression is a disease which comes from total identification with one's thoughts and emotions and have found teachings like that of Eckhart Tolle to help me recover. What do you think? I have the view that depression is a disease which comes from total identification with one’s thoughts and emotions and have found teachings like that of Eckhart Tolle to help me recover. What do you think?

]]> By: sex hikayeler http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-30648 sex hikayeler Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:34:53 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-30648 ensest hikayeler ensest hikayeler

]]> By: Brock B. http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-30459 Brock B. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:32:22 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-30459 Many people assembled to protest the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. For all the clamoring about getting rid of the payday loan industry, some people really want us to have them. For instance, the enormous $787 billion stimulus package, on top of the $700 billion bailout for Wall Street and troubled banks. Capitol Hill and the President have been working furiously on the payday loan to the nation. They hope to be putting it to good use as soon as possible. While it may be a good idea, how long is it going to take to pay it all back, and where are we getting the money from? The national debt is astounding. It is likely our grandkids will be paying off the down payment on it. Read more: http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/02/17/787-billion-economic-stimulus-payday-loan/ Many people assembled to protest the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. For all the clamoring about getting rid of the payday loan industry, some people really want us to have them. For instance, the enormous $787 billion stimulus package, on top of the $700 billion bailout for Wall Street and troubled banks. Capitol Hill and the President have been working furiously on the payday loan to the nation. They hope to be putting it to good use as soon as possible. While it may be a good idea, how long is it going to take to pay it all back, and where are we getting the money from? The national debt is astounding. It is likely our grandkids will be paying off the down payment on it. Read more: http://personalmoneystore.com/ moneyblog/ 2009/ 02/ 17/ 787-billion-economic-stimulus-payday-loan/

]]> By: shop http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-27207 shop Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:51:15 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-27207 At the very least, we should combine whatever financial bailout is deemed necessary with the $100 billion “Green Recovery” effort proposed by the Center for American Progress (where I’m a Senior Fellow). That would that create 2 million new jobs nationwide in two years and start “the reconstruction of local communities and public infrastructure all across America, setting us on a course for a long-term transition to a low-carbon economy.” At the very least, we should combine whatever financial bailout is deemed necessary with the $100 billion “Green Recovery” effort proposed by the Center for American Progress (where I’m a Senior Fellow). That would that create 2 million new jobs nationwide in two years and start “the reconstruction of local communities and public infrastructure all across America, setting us on a course for a long-term transition to a low-carbon economy.”

]]> By: John A. Jauregui http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19723 John A. Jauregui Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:13:16 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19723 The financial crisis has everything to do with Peak Oil and nothing to do with Global Warming. As a matter of fact, the worst possible scenario is Peak Oil coincident with Peak Warming where fuels availability declines with world average temperatures. And that is exactly where we are and no one is addressing it publicly. The financial crisis has everything to do with Peak Oil and nothing to do with Global Warming. As a matter of fact, the worst possible scenario is Peak Oil coincident with Peak Warming where fuels availability declines with world average temperatures. And that is exactly where we are and no one is addressing it publicly.

]]> By: Earl Killian http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19676 Earl Killian Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:39:08 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19676 Well said Cyril. To summarize that, consider the line from <i>Natural Capitalism</i>: "For all their power and vitality, markets are only tools. They make a good servant but a bad master and a worse religion." Well said Cyril. To summarize that, consider the line from Natural Capitalism: “For all their power and vitality, markets are only tools. They make a good servant but a bad master and a worse religion.”

]]> By: Cyril R. http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19669 Cyril R. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:30:25 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19669 Certainly, a completely free market is an unrealistic dream, as it rests on assumptions that are nothing short of absurd: - Everyone behaves rationally - Everyone has complete and correct information about the market - Externalities automatically internalize themselves The list of assumptions is much larger but these three will suffice to demonstrate the inadequacy of 'free' markets. Running the risk of being called flippant, I might say that the only world in which truely free markets work is a world that doesn't need them. (as we would all be gods) A better way to look at markets is a potentially efficient tool to optimize an economy. If the policy, legislation and institutions are set right, it works very well. Therein lies the challenge for policymakers. Certainly, a completely free market is an unrealistic dream, as it rests on assumptions that are nothing short of absurd:
- Everyone behaves rationally
- Everyone has complete and correct information about the market
- Externalities automatically internalize themselves

The list of assumptions is much larger but these three will suffice to demonstrate the inadequacy of ‘free’ markets. Running the risk of being called flippant, I might say that the only world in which truely free markets work is a world that doesn’t need them. (as we would all be gods)

A better way to look at markets is a potentially efficient tool to optimize an economy. If the policy, legislation and institutions are set right, it works very well. Therein lies the challenge for policymakers.

]]> By: Nancy Anderson http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19638 Nancy Anderson Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:36:06 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19638 Always good to read a bracing column by Joe Romm and the comments that follow (shout out to "Lamont" ). On this occasion, I'm compelled, as an environmental advocate in good standing, to disagree with Joe. At bottom, solutions to the current financial crisis and the climate crisis are different. I agree with everyone who says that responding to financial crisis should not be allowed to push a fight against climate change out of the ring. However, it's wrong to argue that (even the very best) climate policy could be the solution to our immediate financial woes. Let me say why. The financial crisis is a capital liquidity crisis in the system's financial arteries. It could easily devolve into a new Great Depression that kills vital social organs and withers our collective future. The current liquidity crunch requires serious adult supervision and sharp fiscal tools. If I had my druthers, I'd bring back Glass-Steagall from the dead and that's just for starters. The tools to combat climate crisis will require lots of money but these will not be fiscal tools. Rather, the tool kit will include regulatory standards (as higher CAFE standards, mega energy efficient appliance and green building standards), money for alternative energy R&D, carbon caps with carbon taxes or caps and trades, policies directed to growing good green collar jobs, just to name a few. Always good to read a bracing column by Joe Romm and the comments that follow (shout out to “Lamont” ). On this occasion, I’m compelled, as an environmental advocate in good standing, to disagree with Joe. At bottom, solutions to the current financial crisis and the climate crisis are different. I agree with everyone who says that responding to financial crisis should not be allowed to push a fight against climate change out of the ring. However, it’s wrong to argue that (even the very best) climate policy could be the solution to our immediate financial woes. Let me say why.

The financial crisis is a capital liquidity crisis in the system’s financial arteries. It could easily devolve into a new Great Depression that kills vital social organs and withers our collective future. The current liquidity crunch requires serious adult supervision and sharp fiscal tools. If I had my druthers, I’d bring back Glass-Steagall from the dead and that’s just for starters.

The tools to combat climate crisis will require lots of money but these will not be fiscal tools. Rather, the tool kit will include regulatory standards (as higher CAFE standards, mega energy efficient appliance and green building standards), money for alternative energy R&D, carbon caps with carbon taxes or caps and trades, policies directed to growing good green collar jobs, just to name a few.

]]> By: splashy http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19608 splashy Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:13:25 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19608 This has been the plan of the Repubs and conservatives in other countries all along, to bankrupt governments so they can't do social programs, in a misguided attempt to preserve their dominance and wealth. They just don't get that they are in the same boat as the rest of us. There is a blindness, thinking that money based on faith will carry them through any environmental problems. Blinded by greed and drunk with power, they just don't see the reality. This has been the plan of the Repubs and conservatives in other countries all along, to bankrupt governments so they can’t do social programs, in a misguided attempt to preserve their dominance and wealth. They just don’t get that they are in the same boat as the rest of us.

There is a blindness, thinking that money based on faith will carry them through any environmental problems. Blinded by greed and drunk with power, they just don’t see the reality.

]]> By: Bob Wallace http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19539 Bob Wallace Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:03:36 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/21/is-the-financial-crisis-more-dire-than-the-climate-crisis/#comment-19539 Earl, people change. I give you T. Boone Pickens, for example. Or how about George Will who is on the cusp of supporting the Democratic candidate for President? I think we've hit a political milestone in America. I really believe that Reaganism has just expired. The "rock solid ideology" of "conservative thinkers" seems to have been swept away by reality. We've learned the hard way that we need regulation, that we can't let the market be truly free. We gave the Republicans free rein to run the government for several years, we gave Reaganism a fair test and it failed. We've seen that at its core Reaganism is nothing but greed and self interest. I think Roberts and Alito, along with a lot of other intelligent conservatives, are going to be doing some soul searching. They can't fall back on old political dogma. That dog died. Earl, people change. I give you T. Boone Pickens, for example. Or how about George Will who is on the cusp of supporting the Democratic candidate for President?

I think we’ve hit a political milestone in America. I really believe that Reaganism has just expired. The “rock solid ideology” of “conservative thinkers” seems to have been swept away by reality.

We’ve learned the hard way that we need regulation, that we can’t let the market be truly free. We gave the Republicans free rein to run the government for several years, we gave Reaganism a fair test and it failed. We’ve seen that at its core Reaganism is nothing but greed and self interest.

I think Roberts and Alito, along with a lot of other intelligent conservatives, are going to be doing some soul searching. They can’t fall back on old political dogma.

That dog died.

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