Action Quote by Charles Krauthammer
“I don't think you can pump carbon dioxide into the atmosphere indefinitely and not have a reaction. But there are great scientists such as Freeman Dyson, one of the greatest physicists of the last hundred years, who has studied the question, who believes quite the opposite. The reason transnational action is so difficult is because the major problem with climate change is, A, that there is no consensus, and, B, that the economic cost is simply staggering. Reversing it completely might mean undoing the modern industrial economy.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Opinion column, The Wall Street Journal, 2008
Excessive CO₂ emissions will trigger inevitable climate feedbacks; some scientists argue otherwise, but consensus and cost hinder action.
In simple terms: Too much CO₂ will cause climate problems; debate exists but action is hard.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits, prioritize sustainable policies.
Themes
climate change
science
policy
economics
consensus
Mood
concerned
urgent
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- environmental regulation
- energy planning
- public health
- international negotiations
Key Concepts
carbon cycle
feedback loops
risk assessment
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance scientific debate with urgent policy?
- What economic strategies can offset climate costs?
A Different Perspective
Scientific uncertainty can stall decisive policy despite evidence.
![“Each worldview was a cultural product, but evolution is true and separate creation is not. [...] Worldviews are social constructions, and they channel the search for facts. But facts are found and knowledge progresses, however fitfully. Fact and theory are intertwined, and all great scientists…” quote by Stephen Jay Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/488/stephen-jay-gould-885_biology_each-worldview-was-a-cultural-product-bu_305934.jpg)
