Formulating Policy Responses to Global Warming in the Face of Uncertainty1

The effects of risk and uncertainty on climate-change policy design are analysed. It is argued that while the science of climate change involves a consensus that anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions are driving higher temperatures and a changed global climate, there remains uncertainty about the e...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agenda (Canberra, Australia) Australia), 2010-01, Vol.17 (1), p.33
Main Author: Clarke, Harry
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
19th century
Aerosols
Atmosphere
Climate change
Climate science
Emissions
Environmental policy
Feedback
Gases
Global warming
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouses
Heat
Hypotheses
Policy making
Scientists
Studies
Temperature
Uncertainty
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The effects of risk and uncertainty on climate-change policy design are analysed. It is argued that while the science of climate change involves a consensus that anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions are driving higher temperatures and a changed global climate, there remains uncertainty about the extent of such changes and the risk of catastrophically large temperature increases in the absence of emission mitigation. The possible cost consequences of not addressing climate change are much greater than the costs of addressing it so that, from a range of perspectives, activist mitigation policies make sense. A critical assessment of Australian climate-change policy is provided, emphasising the key specific uncertainties that impact on policy design. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1322-1833