THE TRIVIAL COST IS THE WORST ARGUMENT FOR DOING SOMETHING:

$7-trillion warning on global warming (ALAN FREEMAN, 10/30/06, Globe and Mail)

Global climate change will cost the world economy as much as $7-trillion in lost output and could force as many as 200 million people out of their homes because of flood or drought unless drastic action is taken by governments worldwide, a report to the British government says. [...]

“Our actions over the coming few decades could create risks of major disruption to economic and social activity later in this century and in the next, on a scale similar to those associated with the great wars and the economic depression of the first half of the 20th century,” Sir Nicholas writes.

If the Depression had likewise cost just one half of one year's American GDP, no one would call it "Great" nor capitalize the "D".

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 30, 2006 9:12 AM