25 Nov 2015

Krugman Rejects Fear-Based Rhetoric, Except for Climate Change

Climate Change, Krugman, Shameless Self-Promotion 5 Comments

This is my post at IER that went along with the commentary on Episode 10 of Contra Krugman. For the best line, first I need to set up Krugman’s claim:

Finally, terrorism is just one of many dangers in the world, and shouldn’t be allowed to divert our attention from other issues. Sorry, conservatives: when President Obama describes climate change as the greatest threat we face, he’s exactly right. Terrorism can’t and won’t destroy our civilization, but global warming could and might. [Bold added.]

My response:

Beyond being guilty of the exact same fear-mongering that his column supposedly criticizes, notice that Krugman isn’t even being consistent: Even the most over-the-top warnings about climate change destroying civilization play out over the course of centuries. So is Krugman saying terrorists in the next 200 years can’t figure out ways to accelerate climate change? What if ISIS recruits millions of people around the world to set trees on fire for the next century? After all, that’s a lot less dangerous than other types of terrorist missions.

5 Responses to “Krugman Rejects Fear-Based Rhetoric, Except for Climate Change”

  1. Dan says:

    He’s probably assuming that they’ll have a couple good climate change conferences pretty soon which will end terrorism for good.

  2. Tel says:

    There would be a reason those terrorist guys drive around in SUVs you know.

  3. anonymous says:

    Well, it is not fear mongering if you believe it is true. Just like it is not cheating if you use a condom.

  4. Grane Peer says:

    Bob, if terrorism can create jobs why not global warming? Rising sea levels and inhospitable climes equal greatest construction boom in human history. It’s hard to see a down side in Krugman’s terms. Happy Thanksgiving.

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