There is also the constant conflating of climate policy with climate science in order to make subjective and ideological policy choices seem as if the science dictates those choices. But science informs policy, it does not provide objective answers to policy questions. However, those who disagree with the climate policy choices favored by extremists are labeled with offensive terms like deniers.
The Competitive Enterprise Institute rejects climate policies that assume Americans and humans all over the world must sacrifice their quality of living, be guilted into radical life changes, and give up on improving their standard of living in the name of fighting climate change. Even if the United States no longer existed, there would be little to no meaningful impact on global temperatures. Therefore, the myriad of extreme policies are all costs and no gain.
Using the force of government to impose policies that severely hurt humans today, especially the poor, without any meaningful benefits is not just foolish but indefensible. And when such policies are advanced, the proponents of those policies should always be expected to explain how their policy choices would meaningfully affect global temperatures. When they are unable to provide answers, which will be the case, their policy choices should be quickly dismissed.
The best way to deal with any genuine climate concerns is to remove government obstacles that hinder innovation, reduce wealth, and undermine prosperity and opportunity. Economic liberty benefits Americans generally, and at the same time, it is also the world’s best climate policy. After all, the wealthiest and most prosperous nations are far more likely to develop solutions to such problems than other nations.
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Vol. V, No. 2
IPCC Releases Political Summary The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, on January 20, approved…
News Release
New Global Warming Report Just Political Spin
Washington, D.C., January 22, 2001 – Today’s release of the “Summary for Policymakers” by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel…
Newsletter
Vol. V, No. 1
Umbrella Group to Hold Secret Meeting in Sunny New Zealand The Japan Times (December 29, 2000)…
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The State on Autopilot
The almost-tie election, both in the presidential sweepstakes and in the House and Senate, suggest some problems ahead for the friends of economic…
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Vol. IV, No. 26
So far President-Elect George W. Bush’s nominees for top positions look wobbly on global warming. Bush has chosen Christine Todd Whitman as his administrator of…
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Vol IV, No. 25
Politics Ottawa Talks Can’t Break Ice Jam The collapse of the global warming negotiations in the Hague last month has not…
Staff & Scholars
Sam Kazman
Counsel Emeritus
- Antitrust
- Automobiles and Roads
- Banking and Finance
Marlo Lewis, Jr.
Senior Fellow
- Climate
- Energy
- Energy and Environment
Ben Lieberman
Senior Fellow
- Climate
- Consumer Freedom
- Energy
Jacob Tomasulo
Policy Analyst
- Climate
- Energy
- Energy and Environment
Kevin D. Williamson
Writer in Residence
- Climate
- Energy and Environment