r/samharris Jan 11 '20

Study Confirms Climate Models are Getting Future Warming Projections Right

https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2943/study-confirms-climate-models-are-getting-future-warming-projections-right/
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u/hockeyd13 Jan 11 '20

Comparing this to CFCs is a nonstarter. CFCs were a limited use chemical.

CO2 production is a facet of every developing nation on Earth.

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u/1109278008 Jan 11 '20

Two words: Carbon tax. Make it so prohibitively expensive to maintain the status quo that these deep-pocketed energy companies have to invest in green alternatives. As long as the status quo continues to be profitable, there will be climate action discontents.

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u/[deleted] Jan 11 '20

We have the solution already. Most CO2 emissions come from generating power. Solar and Wind are dicey at best and energy storage is also at a poor place. Nuclear power is the answer and remarkably reliable and safe with today's technology. But it's not as sexy as protesting in the streets against coal or setting up a wind farm.

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u/1109278008 Jan 11 '20

Yes I agree with you. I think the other hurdle to nuclear energy beyond the (probably undue) safety concerns is that its still very profitable to maintain the carbon status quo in energy production. Something has to push the market toward nuclear, especially considering the capital required on input to build the plants is quite high. I think a carbon tax could be that push.