[tuzo29]

I agree that the greenhouse effect itself is undebatable -- it's one of the things that makes our planet livable, and it comes from various different gasses (for example, water vapor is a major greenhouse gas). However, it may be important to note that the greenhouse effect is not something man has created, it's a natural function of our atmosphere, and it's the reason half our planet doesn't drop to -166 degrees at night. So, it's not really a bad thing of itself, per se.

I haven't read all your posts here. I don't know when I'll have time. I can say that we mostly agree. The one thing I've got a strong opinion on is that the greenhouse gas effect is real. More greenhouse gases = warmer planet. Venus and Mors are the two extreme ends of the spectrum here. It seems you agree that greenhouse gases warm the planet. Hooray for CONSENSUS! Where we disagree is in our willingness to take what most experts say is the case as the base case. You think we should keep an open mind until all the facts are in. Laissez faire on emissions until we know if there's a problem. I think we should prepare for the potential problem now and if it turns out it's not as big a problem, well, that's fine. It's a better outcome than doing nothing and the problem is as big or bigger than the scientists guessed. I'm all for libertarian when the market knows how to price goods and services. I don't think the market knows how to price carbon emissions, so let's legislate to minimize the potentially bad problem before it gets here. That's all. I'd rather I'm wrong than that I'm right about the problem, but either way prevention seems wise to me. Please tell me why this is a bad idea.