Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: What Are the Real Economic Costs?

Whatever one thinks or fears about global warming — how significant or hyped it might be, how dangerous or inconsequential it might be, or how manmade or naturally occurring its causes or non-causes might be — it’s increasingly difficult to find any sector of society not responding or adapting in some way. This is all the more reason to take account of economic by-products which, almost certainly, will grow in importance in shaping American lives and livelihoods.

Economist Margo Thorning discusses the likely consequences of Minnesota’s proposed Climate Mitigation Action Plan on employment, household income, and new investments in the state. She also talks about the likely economic and environmental effects of bills currently before Congress, including the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. And Dr. Thorning will suggest cost-effective approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Minnesota, across the United States, and around the planet.