Risky Climate
Why Alarm Over Climate Change Is Not Alarmism
New information about the link between atmospheric CO₂ and eventual global average warming bolsters the case for climate policy now.
Firefighters conduct property protection patrols at the Dunn Road fire in Mount Adrah, Australia.
Photographer: Sam Mooy/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
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Is climate change scary because of “black swans”—the low-probability, high-impact tail risks that are, by definition, unlikely? Or is it about what’s well known, already quantified, and very likely to happen unless the world slams on the emissions brakes? And does the difference matter?