Global Worming

Scientists in many countries have discovered that the U.S. is the source of grant money for stupid schemes. In anticipation of the passage of the cap and tax legislation snake oil salesmen are already pimping their plans for orbital mirrors, sprinkler blimps and reforesting the Sahara. Salivating at the sound of money they are ready to save the world from climate change. What I would like to know is who will save us from these primate games. First, there is still no compelling evidence that climate change is happening on a significant enough level to require more than simple adjustments. Accelerated sales of air-conditioning units and maybe a program to provide swimming lessons to Floridians seems to be all that’s required. But consider if there is significant change. New York as the Venice of North America and vast tracts of permafrost covered land made arable by beneficent warmer weather don’t seem to be too unbearable as consequences of living well. But isn’t that the real problem? In the civilized west we live well and many are envious. The envious poor aren’t even the problem. They would be content to imitate us, using capitalist ideas in forwarding industry to bring the blessings of civilization home. No, the problem is those who foment envy in order to move capital from the west to the poor countries damaging both but allowing the opportunity to siphon off wealth for their own ends. The politics of envy are a bad means that for the west ends in less freedom and high taxes. And for the poor countries it furthers the learned helplessness that is the colonial heritage of the give a man a fish crowd. Posing as helpful heralds the prophets of doom profit by letting some of the cash bound for Africa to slip into their pockets. The cash is quickly translated into political influence and buys the media’s fawning support. Science and scientists don’t live on the pedestal public education built them. They are as vulnerable to temptation as any lawyer or politician. It just seems terribly unfair that phrenology should be such a sidelined pursuit while the lumpy headed warmologists benefit from political avarice and public gullibility.