Over the past few days, subsequent to the release on the Stern report, I have come across a number of situations where those who doubt the seriousness of the problems related to climate change have compared it to the so-called "millennium bug". These commentators suggest that global warming is all hype and that nothing bad will actually happen "just like the year 2000".
What occurred or failed to occur at midnight 31, December 1999 has no bearing on the case for or against climate change, or perhaps it does but only in juxtaposition to the argument that they are attempting to make.
The issues relating to IT systems and the year 2000 were very real indeed. I don't believe anyone tried to suggest that. There was a problem. The world took action (at considerable expense) and there was very little impact indeed. If action had not been taken the only thing in doubt is the scope of the disaster.
We should let the Y2K experience be a guide to us as what we can do when we put our minds to it and do not defer action because we do not wish the problems to be real.
What occurred or failed to occur at midnight 31, December 1999 has no bearing on the case for or against climate change, or perhaps it does but only in juxtaposition to the argument that they are attempting to make.
The issues relating to IT systems and the year 2000 were very real indeed. I don't believe anyone tried to suggest that. There was a problem. The world took action (at considerable expense) and there was very little impact indeed. If action had not been taken the only thing in doubt is the scope of the disaster.
We should let the Y2K experience be a guide to us as what we can do when we put our minds to it and do not defer action because we do not wish the problems to be real.
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