Stabilizing the planet helps the economy
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The Oct. 28 news story "Economics of climate change in forefront" missed the key point. Of course politicians will argue about whether climate change legislation will "slow U.S. economic growth," because economic growth is assumed to be a top priority. But that assumption is simplistic and outdated. Stabilizing the climate is all about stabilizing the economy: moving it toward a "steady state" that is neither growing nor in recession. The economy is predominantly fossil-fueled, and that will not change on a dime.
In other words, economic growth equals climate change. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, what we really need to argue about is whether to continue pushing economic growth at all costs or to strive for a steady-state economy that fits on the planet. Politicians shy away from this debate because, in a steady state, population must be stabilized and poverty has to be handled with at least some redistribution of wealth. But, clearly, the rising tide of economic growth threatens to sink more boats than it lifts.
Brian Czech, Arlington
