Literature Review: Article from Superfreakonomics

What do Al Gore and Mount Pinatubo have in common?

The article looks at the issue of Global Warming in a completely different way from the current
perception prevalent in the media and scientific communities. It states that since the science of
Global Warming is extremely complex, any kind of prediction and models do not take into account
many factors, and therefore we can never really understand what the seriousness and exact
implications and consequences are.

It looks at the problem from the point of view of economics in terms of externality. Basically, all
actions of ours have certain consequences, but someone else ends up bearing the cost of that
action. In this case, we are all contributing to global warming, but the consequences are felt by those
who may or may not be responsible for greenhouse gas emission to the same extent. The article
goes on to explain why it is difficult to internalise these externalities, mainly because who is to
decide the correct tax and its imposition.

Next it describes how externalities can also be good, by way of example of LoJack, an expensive but
very effective anti – auto theft device. In the same way, volcanic eruptions can be seen as positive
externalities in view of Global Warming. Basically, SO2 emissions from these eruptions can reduce
the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth and thus cause ‘Global Cooling.’

The article then moves on to talk about Intellectual Ventures, which is basically a group of scientists
working on many scientific problems, Global Warming being one of them. This group sums up to say
that geo engineering is possibly among the only workable solutions left to tackle the Global Warming
issues.

Basically, the article is very well written and mentions interesting anecdotes and incidents that
explain various concepts such as externalities, the problems with expecting a mindset change (it
cites a study done with doctors), how locally grown food producing less greenhouse gases is a myth,
and how livestock and non vegetarian food are the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Interestingly, by proving such myths wrong, the authors seem to be building up to the main issues of
the article, that is by first questioning, and subsequently rejecting popular solutions and beliefs. By
doing this, the reader takes to their ideas about geo-engineering instead of rejecting them outright,
as many scientists have done.

The writing style of the article is very intriguing. Right from the title that makes you wonder what
exactly the article is about, to the topic of Global Cooling, your interest is built up and you are led
onto believe the authors and start questioning prevailing knowledge and wisdom for yourself. At one
point, it seems like all current knowledge is no good for reaching any solution, and geo engineering
might be the only way perhaps. It does mention some problems that this too could cause, such as
buying more time to pollute, but it is mentioned in a passing tone rather than as a grave con.
The style is also humorous and witty, and although the problem discussed here is a very serious one,
you can laugh and make jokes about not only the issues at hand such as carbon tax, but also about
the solutions.

Unfortunately, although they mention many scientists and their predictions, there are no previous
examples or data sources actually mentioned that support the cause. It does mention evidence of
two different volcanic eruptions in order to support the sulphur emission theory, but in reality, such
little evidence would hardly be enough to surmount an operation of such magnitude. Overall, the
article makes you question and wonder about the present take on Global Warming worldwide, and
makes you excited about bio engineering as a viable, in fact only real option. That can however, be
attributed more to the writing style than any hard facts and previous evidence.