California
State University Long Beach 
GEOL 300i; Earth Systems
and Global Change
Lecture 28
Dr.
Rick Behl
The cost of environmental degradation vs.
preservation
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What are the real costs?
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Who will have to pay for them? When?
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Have to consider problems in "geoeconomic
time,"
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Major intergenerational issue
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Solution to climate change problems will require
decades to centuries
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When do we deal with it?
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Will determine the degree of environmental
damage
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May cross a threshold in the Earth’s climatic
functioning
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How much is it worth to fix?
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Would it be better to pay $1.00 today or $1.25
five years from now?
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Must evaluate risk and return.
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What is a mitigation or action really worth?
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Now, or 30 years from now?
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What would future generations pay to have
it taken care of?
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Intergenerational contract or constitution
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Rights of future generations should be considered
and respected.
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The path of highest sustainable growth (standard
of living) should be sought for each generation.
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Our actions should not reduce the standard
of living of future generations in order to profit now
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Our actions should not reduce the standard
of living of future generations in order to protect the environment
What do you think? What should
you do?
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John Francis
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Phone: 562-985-4928
written by R. Behl.
Last changes:31Oct. 1997