Stop biodiversity loss or we could face our own extinction, warns UN

Re:Stop biodiversity loss or we could face our own extinctio... by chmod775 on Saturday November 03, 2018 @05:50AM (#18369430)

> Sure we save ourselves, but face it, our economic system is a rational system

I had a good laugh at this. It's only "rational" (or efficient) at optimizing the parameters we give it.

I'd argue that if "saving ourselves" is not a priority, then right now there are some important parameters missing.

If we'd put a sizable tax/cost on causing environmental harm, you can bet that "economic system" is gonna optimize the heck out of its processes to not cause that harm.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Stop biodiversity loss or we could face our own extinctio... by intended on Saturday November 03, 2018 @06:23AM (#18369513)

Sure, that’s baked into my argument - it’s saying that should you actually account for externalities, that’s going to affect global GDP growth.

Sure in the long run we will have a better planet, but then famously in the long run we’re dead too.

I do not think there is a rational incentive for many firms to actually allow externalities to be priced in. Making investment in lobbying more valuable (and America is case in point; it’s been decades of FUD and denial).

This is just the rational business game plan. Delay the onset of regulation for as long as possible, maximize profits and then adapt to the new world of regulations (hopefully diversify by the time regulations hit)

I’m hoping someone has a way to argue that this is incorrect.

[ Parent | on HN ]