zen_tom

A brief note on the 'cost' of Kyoto and other attempts at controlling emissions. The truth of the matter is that there is no real cost at all. In order to meet the objectives of the treaty, development work is done to produce more efficient machinery and equipment bringing with it continuing and focused technology improvements. Old, inefficient (read expensive) machinery is replaced with new, cheaper, cleaner versions, bringing cost-savings and revitalisation. Then there are all the new jobs created for the scientists, developers, managers, architects, planners, administrators, accountants, machinists, assemblers, delivery drivers, maintenance guys, construction workers...and the list goes on.

Not to mention the huge trade benefits that are there to be reaped by being at the forefront of producing high-grade, efficient, environmentally sound equipment and technology and shipping it overseas. Without gearing up for the improvements that the world is looking for, a nation not actively involved in producing cleaner, better, more advanced technology will start to slip by the wayside.

In my mind, Kyoto is an opportunity that would be foolish to miss. It is going to allow the countries that are involved in it to invest heavily in emerging technologies, nurturing new industries that are going to be the multi-nationals of tomorrow.

With the disturbing news that tecoyah posts, its all the more important for us to improve our technologies in order to cope with the up and coming challenges. I'm sure we can do it, and that we can do it whilst giving our economies a worthwhile, sustainable and technological boost of investment. If there are those who wish to cling to the sinking ship of old technology as it goes down, then let them sink.

There isn't much we can do to stop global warming if it has already started, but we must try to learn about the causes as much as possible, and in addition, prepare ourselves technologically for what could be a very difficult time. We are going to need the most efficient tools to survive should the worst happen, it seems reasonable to try to develop those now, since they are going to be useful to us whether global warming happens or not.