Quote:
Originally Posted by OsmundL
From what I've seen, the carbon in ocean observation is not projected, but observed already in some of the most fragile locations. ....To believe we can continue to dump carbons into the sea is, to put it cautiously, somewhat brave?
To paraphrase you: the argument about cost is debilitating and spurious. For a start, the thing that matters is relative cost in a world trading context, and the proposed US legislation is way behind that already in place elsewhere, China etc. excepted.
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Osmund...a couple of points
1. I am unaware of ANY studies showing actual damage to "fragile locations" from CO2 absorbtion by the ocean lowering the PH. I am aware of damage to fragile reefs from other human activities...real pollution, bleaching, dynamite fishing etc. AND from natural events such as hurricanes, typhoons, changes in salinity due to shifts in currents, invasive species etc. If you have some science to point to that say man made warming or CO2 uptake is responsible for damage...please point me in the right direction. Everything I have read is speculation.
2. I completely disagree with your notions about cost and international competitiveness. First...there is NO problem...to spend our treasure on non-problems when so many problems are facing us is pure folly. Second, the notion that wind and solar are THE answer and that we are ignoring opportunities in order to do things in the old ways is specious. Capital will flow to good ideas that make sense UNLESS government gets in the way.
Nuclear for example is a proven and safe and cost effective alternative to coal and oil unlike wind and solar yet we haven't uilt a nuke plant in 20 years because of the government. Solar and wind are not cost effective. They will become more so over time as oil supplies dwindle and (hopefully) technological advances lead to greater production efficiencies. Then they will make better sense.
What we have just done has NO environmental effect, and will cost the USA jobs, make China stronger, make a bunch of sleazeballs richer and make the rest of us poorer.