On Thursday, Washington Post columnist and former George W. Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson addressed my “Global Warming: Causes, Consequences, and Policy Responses” class at Princeton. Some highlights:

- He said that a change in the global climate is “undeniable.”
- He noted that within the Bush administration, there were significant discussions over advocating an environmental trade system.
- He said the question the USA, China and India need to ask themselves is about the proper mix of “mitigation [of previous emissions, etc.], adaptation or suffering.”
- “Congress does not react effectively to long-term problems.”
- Lastly, he described what he thought was the most likely resolution to the issue “that involves Republicans”: a dramatic increase in carbon taxes, but reductions on labor, capital and investment taxes. He said this would represent a shift in the tax program, rather than a net increase.

What do you think?

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