REPRINTED IN ITS ENTIRETY FROM EZRA KLEIN:
From the introduction to SuperFreakonomics:One of the most powerful laws in the universe is the law of unintended consequences.
From Steven Levitt's recent appearance on the Diane Rehm show:Of course, ocean acidification is an import issue. Now, there are ways to deal with ocean acidification, right, it's actually, that's actually, we know exactly how to un-acidifiy the oceans, is to pour a bunch of base into it, so, so if that turns out to be an incredibly big problem, then we can deal with that.
Right, just pour a base into it! Keep in mind, this will be after we've begun pumping sulfate particles into the upper atmosphere.
This is why Jon Stewart was wrong on The Daily Show interview with Levitt. We know a hell of a lot better the consequences of conservation and responsible pollution control. We don't know the consequences of pie-in-the-sky, mad-scientist approaches like giant hoses that spray toxins in the upper atmosphere, or huge umbrellas that will deflect the sun.
|