Quote:
Originally Posted by Shek
Less pollution may not be a bad thing. It's all a cost-benefit decision, whether there is AGW or not.
However, we should be very careful not to confuse our economics. Green American technologies that displace dirty American technologies (like those bad ol' big oil companies) may or may not be a net gain. We shouldn't assume that new "green" technology is better, even if we put the "green" label on it. We shouldn't assume that we need to prevent "fill in coastal city name here" from being submerged under water in scenario ABC123. It may be more cost effective to move "fill in coastal city name here" inland.
I could rattle off many more examples, but the key point here is to not become myopic on either costs or benefits, but that we must look at both sides of the coin.
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Once again, well said Shek.
I have spent the extra money to equip my house with high efficiency fixtures(flourescent lights, high efficiency heat pump, extra insulation). I did this solely to save money. If it wouldn't have benefitted my wallet in the long run, I probably would not have done it. I have invested a bunch of money in my one ton chevy but will experience double the gas mileage when complete. Over 20 mpg on 87 octane. All that I do is good for me and the planet. See....I can compromise.
An example of what Shek is talking about could be electric cars. They are made just like a conventional autos, but have times more batteries. Batteries are very hazardous materials that contain lead and zinc. Most cars today have only one. Electric cars utilize up to 24. imagine if all the cars had that many batteries that require replacement every 3 to five years. An engine can go many years without replacement. New lithium-ion battery tech is promising in making electric cars lighter and last longer, but the manufacturing and disposal after use potential for pollution is still there.
We must make sure we actually go green and just not shift from one type of pollution to another that may seem OK now but may pose even more dangerous hazards in the future.
Lots of products are made from oil. Fuel is still the main one and most other products are made from the by-products of the fuel refining process.
So here's a question I think pertinent. Some of you Limbaugh listeners have heard this before. If you don't burn oil, what are you going to do with it?
