Humanity must recognise our entire way of life is chronically short-termist

When it comes to cutting carbon emissions, our politics, our society and our economy are not fit for purpose.

Any proposal that might help cut carbon emissions – road-pricing, say, or waste recycling – meets strong opposition from vociferous lobbies. Even phasing out high-energy lightbulbs is resisted on the grounds that the equivalent low-energy ones are a bit dim and old folk might fall down the stairs.

Behind our thinking about global warming lies an unspoken assumption: that, in the end, science and technology will rescue us. Perhaps we shall launch giant reflectors into space to protect us from the sun’s rays. Or discover new ways of growing food so it won’t matter if half the world’s agricultural land turns into desert. More plausibly, we may find a new source of low-cost, low-emission energy. As Bush reiterated yesterday, America has most faith in technical fixes, and at least he is honest about it. But it is the biggest illusion of all. Science and technology haven’t delivered on half the promises of the past 50 years.

Guardian