Economist Debate: Should renewable energy be subsidised?

Is subsidising renewable energy a good way to wean the world off fossil fuels? Watch highlights from The Economist Debate.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• debate
• economist
• renewable energy
• subsidies
• fossil fuels
• subsidize
• subsidise

[jessemaurais]

They're already subsidising non-renewable energy, so why not?

[Seano71]

@CmdrTobs how can you be sceptical? The extra atoms in the atmosphere trap in heat, same as when its cloudy at night compared to a clear sky at night.

[CmdrTobs]

@NYJanus Yes, terrible presentation. Ironic as there print publication has a pretty simple (and dated) easy to read text layout.

[CmdrTobs]

@Seano71 That is true, however I'm sceptical of massive global warming caused by fossils fuels but you can easily find billions of $ of damage through spills, smog, acid rain etc....

[RakshasaCat]

I never understood how a number such as 48% vs. 52% could declare one side or the other as having won?

Surely that is well within the margin of split in half... Also, is not the real solution to include all the externalities in the price? (Might require some subsidies to oil in that case to bring the price down to manageable levels, but those should be matched with subsidies to other forms of energy production)

[TheSAMathematician]

Interestingly, before the start of the debate, 54% of people agreed with the proposition. So the Opp did really well winning a debate in the eyes of a previously slightly biased audience

[42tomasz]

education and personal responsibility is the challenge. the internet has made this possible, and the old "arguments" largely irrelevant in comparison with its potential to empower - economically!

[1an666]

Robert L. Bradley JR.“Oil, gas and coal have become more sustainable over time, not less”

I don't think he knows what sustainable or finite mean.

Secondly current subsidies for oil companies is not even discussed.

[Seano71]

The cost caused by global warming is not factors into the so called free market. However, can you put a price on the amount of damage it is causing?

[NYJanus]

Great points but that was really hard to follow. I couldn't read right bc of fear that the words were gonna get wiped off the screen. I was racing against time!