Reading questions on Chs. 1&2 of Bjorn Lomborg's new book Cool It. Due in class Tuesday, Feb. 26. Keep it short, but be VERY specific and focused on the reading.
1. Who says climate change is important? (Just list.)
2. What three things does Lomborg say the "polar bear story" teaches us? Which are basically about scientific claims, and which is about policy?
3. Does Lomborg accept that global warming is "real" and the result of human actions? What does he identify as the best source for information on climate change?
4. What does Lomborg believe should be the fundamental goal of policy, and what does that lead him to say we should address now?
5. Does Lomborg believe that heat waves are an indicator of global warming? Explain.
6. Expalin Lomborg's argument on the effect on European mortality of future global warming.
7. A benefit cost summary is provided for a program to cool the urban Los Angeles area. Look in the notes to find the source for these cost and benefit estimates. (Can you guess what a major cost is which is not included? Hint: this is an area in which I work.)
8. Is the Kyoto agreement itself important for climate? Explain.
For discussion: take a three sentence stab, max, at each of these.
9. Is Lomborg's basic approach to policy consistent with basic economic principles?
10. On page 29 Lomborg gets specific about a carbon tax. What does his "one dollar tax" on CO2 mean in terms of things you and I buy? Does the final paragraph make sense: $1 CO2 tax costs $11 billion, $30 CO2 tax costs $7 trillion?
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