You know, Max, not being much of a libertarian I believe in heavy regulation re sanitation, pollution. China’s real pollution is excused too readily, and the Chinese are experts in patiently evading regulation, delaying response etc. This kind of quiet, sly defiance is almost a matter of pride with them. (I worked in the Sydney restaurant game years ago.)
It’s appalling to witness the intelligentsia’s discovery of “markets” as the latest Big Lever of government. If CAGW was real, sane people would act ruthlessly and fast through government, as in war. When France was faced with ruin through energy poverty, Messmer and the ailing Pompidou acted with extraordinary speed and decision to make France nuclear. You don’t cant about “markets” when faced with a real national or global threat.
There again, the climate is just the climate, capricious and often hostile, like always. You can tell by the hopelessly frivolous “solutions” offered that there is no new climate threat. Still, the loftily-concerned will always have memories of those magnificent jet trails they made to Cancun and Rio. They had their shining moment of sexiness mixed with moral hauteur.
