The Real Inconvenient Truth

From "The Real Inconvenient Truth," Robert Samualson's column today in the Washington Post:

No government will adopt the draconian restrictions on economic growth and personal freedom (limits on electricity usage, driving and travel) that might curb global warming. Still, politicians want to show they're "doing something." The result is grandstanding.

Referring to the various state and local efforts in the U.S. to reduce CO2 emission, Samualson says:

None of these programs will reduce global warming. They're public relations exercises and -- if they impose costs -- are undesirable. (Note: on national security grounds, I favor taxing oil, but the global warming effect would be trivial.) The practical conclusion is that if global warming is a potential calamity, the only salvation is new technology.