Can the poor and middle class afford Global Warming?

Question

I haven't seen or heard any discussion on how the poor and middle class are going to be able to pay for global warming. I've heard that we need to raise taxes on the consumption of energy, including a new tax on gasoline. How can we afford solar panels on our homes. We can't afford to buy new electric cars. Is global warming for the rich who can afford it.

Answer 1

Well it's going to affect them whether they can afford it or not.  People need to re-think their lives to deal with high energy costs, regardless of your thoughts on global warming.  High energy prices are here to stay, especially liquid transportation fuels.

Living within walking distance of work is more economical than commuting for many people (not all).  Buying solar panels may not be affordable, but reducing consumption certainly is.  Not many people consider how attractive vegetarianism is from an economic perspective.

Not driving, reducing consumption, and not eating/eating less meat will have more effect than the rich people buying electric cars and solar panels.

Answer 2

Do little things.  Replace the bulbs in your house with CFL, reuse and recycle, when you are going to make a new purchase buy the energy efficient model, buy in bulk (when appropriate).  All of these will actually save you money too.  Most people can't afford to switch off the grid tomorrow, but they can make some changes today, then if the green technologies are like most other things the costs will drop over time to the point you can afford to do more, and more.

Answer 3

no one can afford it. its just there

Answer 4

No, I think we should get rid of it.

Answer 5

To the contrary.  What the poor couldn't afford is the damage global warming would cause.

It won't be a Hollywood movie style disaster. Gradually coastal areas will flood and agriculture will be damaged. But it will be very bad. Rich countries will cope, but it will take huge amounts of money. In poor countries many people will die of starvation, but not all of them.