Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
thy goal. By contrast, emissions limits or concentration objectives are
instrumental objectives, not ultimate goals.
Yet, while simple temperature targets make an attractive approach,
they are insuffi cient in a world of competing goals. People want to be
assured that these targets are not simply the result of overly concerned
environmentalists who are intent on saving their ecosystems at the
expense of humans. Nations will want to make sure that they are not
subsidizing undeserving countries or feeding corrupt dictators whose
green policies are really an excuse for skimming greenbacks.
If large sums are involved, people want to get their money's worth.
And this means that people want to compare costs and benefi ts. The
benefi ts need not be completely monetized, but it will not be suffi cient
to say “Ecosystems are priceless” or “We must pay any cost to save the
polar bears.” That is why costs and benefi ts must be put on the balance
when weighing the options on global warming. Depending upon how
optimistic you are about participation and your view on discounting,
you can probably use the four fi gures in this chapter as a guide for pick-
ing a target for climate-change policy.
