Day By Day

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Lomborg-Pope Cage Match

Carl Pope takes on Bjorn Lomborg on the subject of environmental reform in the latest issue of Foreign Policy. The result is an interesting dialogue that lays out the two major thematic approaches to environmental problems. Pope's approach is essentially moralistic and involves massive transfers of wealth from the developed to the developing world, punitive actions taken against polluters, and global regulation of economic activities. Lomborg's approach is pragmatic, based on establishing priorities that will identify the most promising paths for action, promoting general development of human as opposed to natural resources, and voluntary action on the part of individuals and governments. Both cite studies to support their positions and argue over their interpretation reminding us once again just how malleable "science" can be when it is enlisted in the service of political or moral agendas.

It's well worth a read. [here]

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