Global warming just does not compute, says Hanson
Russ Steele
No, not that Hansen from NASA. I have always been a fan of Victor Davis Hanson, a Roman Greek history professor and modern thinker from Fresno, who seems to be well grounded in the world we live in. Therefore, I would like to share some of this thoughts at the NRO Corner on global warming and the current economic slow down.
It Doesn't Compute...
I'm very puzzled by the nexus between the current downturn and concern about global warming. Given that we were told we had to immediately cut back on carbon emissions (even before sustainable alternative energies are in place), largely by curbing our lavish energy-dependent lifestyles, why then all the concern about stimuli and global depression? Surely, the world right now is sort of what the radical Gorists wanted to see, since the current cutback in gasoline usage, and general economic slowdown are radically restricting the burning of fossil fuels in a manner that even the most optimistic green utopian could hardly have envisioned just few years ago? In other words, in the booming 2004-6 years, radical suggested scale-backs would have probably led to something akin to what we are experiencing now? So why the gloom instead of headlines blaring—"The Planet Continues to Green—as Archaic Consumption Practices Erode Further!"
I'm very puzzled by the nexus between the current downturn and concern about global warming. Given that we were told we had to immediately cut back on carbon emissions (even before sustainable alternative energies are in place), largely by curbing our lavish energy-dependent lifestyles, why then all the concern about stimuli and global depression? Surely, the world right now is sort of what the radical Gorists wanted to see, since the current cutback in gasoline usage, and general economic slowdown are radically restricting the burning of fossil fuels in a manner that even the most optimistic green utopian could hardly have envisioned just few years ago? In other words, in the booming 2004-6 years, radical suggested scale-backs would have probably led to something akin to what we are experiencing now? So why the gloom instead of headlines blaring—"The Planet Continues to Green—as Archaic Consumption Practices Erode Further!"
But, even with the global economic downturn, what happens if CO2 continues to rise at the same pace is has over the last 30 years. We diving less, using less power and that is what the greens wanted. I wonder did the greens checked with Mother Nature? What was her plan? Stay tuned we are about to find out, the sun is still quiet and the PDO has shifted. Life is about to get very interesting.
Joe,
I have read some of his books and I should have hunted one down rather than rely on memory. Thanks for the correction. My library is in a garage office and I was not dressed to go outside. So, I winged it. Not the best solution on the web when hundreds read the post, one or more will have the right answer. Thanks again!
Posted by: Russ | December 29, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Russ,
Just a little "nit-pick" here, VDH's scholarship has had a focus on Greece and that culuture's impact on Western Civilization. I've been reading his books and online publications for a number of years.
Cheers,
Joe
Posted by: JoeH | December 29, 2008 at 12:26 PM
What a difference a vowel makes.
Hansen. Hanson.
Posted by: Larry Sheldon | December 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM