Sure what you say about economist is true, but that's not the point. It is my understanding (and would love it if you could clarify it) that there are considerable uncertainties in three levels:

1. The accumulation of GHG in atmosphere due to anthropomorphic activities. (Regarding this issue, it seems almost everybody agrees that GHG is increasing in atmosphere due to our action, but I think people think consumption of polluting GHGs will go down with time as people's purchasing power goes up and they adopt cleaner technologies.)

2. The impact of GHG on temperature. I don't think this has been settled. Some European studies think that global mean temperature will increase by more than 10 degrees if GHG stock increases two fold, which is just ridiculous.

3. True impact on people of temperature fluctuations. Nobody really knows about it. After all the world has seen 17 ice-ages before. Temperature may increase or decrease even when people have nothing to do with it.

These three points are not mine. I have read them so many times that I just summarized them according to my understanding.These three issues are not yet settled. In deed, whether consumption of GHG emitting products should be increased or decreased even if there are bad consequences is still an unsettled question . 

If you are related to these subjects, I would love to shut up and listen to you. In particular,pointers to the articles in reputed journals or by professors of reputed schools (and summary, rather than the details that I don't understand) would be welcome, and so do the clarification about the doubts of recent European studies and UN position.

Last edited: 21-Jul-10 08:29 PM