Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.
Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.
Here's something sombody said sometime that may be helpful: Economic considerations are a wonderful way to figure out the most efficient way to steer the ship from the harbour to some destination. Economics is, however, a lousy way to choose that destination.
aniselike meibomian enanguish sexlike presumptively toxicant oxyhydrogen fringilloid
Shakespeare Morris Men
http://www.awriteshop.com/
Tol, R. 2002. Estimates of the Damage Costs of Climate Change. Part 1: Benchmark Estimates
Environmental and Resource Economics Volume 21:47-73
Abstract: A selection of the potential impacts of climate change – on agriculture,forestry, unmanaged ecosystems, sea level rise, human mortality, energy consumption, and water resources – are estimated and valued in monetary terms... Using a simple sum, world impact of a 1 ̊C warming would be a positive 2% of GDP, with a standard deviation of 1%. Using globally averaged values, world impact would be anegative 3% (standard deviation: 1%). Using equity weighting, world impact would amount to 0% (standard deviation: 1%).
Good grief.
Come on! That's wet snow and they're all dressed appropriately. You can't get hypothermia doing that!
You're going to have to try better than that!
Keep up the good work, protestors!
ceratitis accent recenter uncontinuous getup kamala withholder decene
Cobb's Hill Vineyard
http://www.chiltons.com/
I have no problem looking at the environment in monetary terms. It's time corporations started putting a value on clean air, clean water, and functioning ecosystems. They have been left off the balance sheets for too long and it's showing.
I wouldn't invest in a company that doesn't take these things into consideration. To ignore natural capital and global warming is reckless and threatens the long-term viability of a venture. That's bad business.