I have my own theory. First we need to set the stage. One of two things is true, either human activity causes global warming or it does not. Either way we have two choices, either we choose to reduce carbon output or we choose not to. We are assuming that global warming would suck for us, if we assume otherwise then the point is moot. If global warming does not suck then we have nothing to argue about.
It's even more complicated than that. First, either human activity causes climate change or not. (I think virtually everyone agrees yes, as a concept.) Next, either human activity causes significant climate change or not. This one is much, much more debatable, even among climatologists. Next, either that significant change is something that the climate doesn't already compensate for as part of it's normal feedback loops or it isn't. Finally, either the change is something that is harmful for human life, or not.
If we hit "not" on any of those, then we are wasting our time with climate change carbon nonsense. That isn't to say that we shit on the ecology -- no one likes to live in filth. However, we do need to recognize that "green" is a luxury, and one that frankly most of the world can't afford. American and European poor are rich, compared to the poor in... well, any place that isn't America or Europe. The rest of the world's poor need electricity, healthy water, medicine, and transportation any way they can get it.
Frankly, at this point, to impose any sort of "carbon" standards on any part of the world is tantamount to genocide, because the economic costs associated with it contribute directly to the starvation and disease related deaths in Africa and Asia.
http://www.llu.edu/public-health/news/news-grocery-bags-bacteria.page
Surprise! The bags are filthy.
If you believe in transparency as a democratic ideal, then the Tides Foundation is your mortal enemy.
Pass your law, and then we can have the FBI raid Tides in San Fran, and pretty much every "climatologist" in the country can be behind bars.
After Goliath's defeat, giants ceased to command respect. - Freeman Dyson