Carbon Credability

John Howard has once again overlooked some fundamentals about climate change and climate policy in a recent speech. As usual, he warned his audience of the potential risks of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and reminded them of his determination to avoid lasting economic damage that such policies might create. On the other hand, he apparently didn't make any mention of the lasting economic damages associated with the persistent drought that has settled over the nation, or the findings of any number of assessments that the costs of climate damages will be equal to or greater than the costs of reducing emissions. As the public increasingly perceive that they are paying the costs of climate change right now, the spectre of potential economic damages from emissions reductions is going to appear more and more transparent.