Although I Could Be Wrong

As a little Gedankenexperiment (German for "thought experiment"), I've decided to try to ask about climate change and the potential consequences if the side you support is wrong.

I'll start with the climate change deniers. Suppose that they come to power and, to their chagrin, find that their stance on climate change is wrong. What are the potential outcomes?

1. Global temperatures continue to rise causing various environmental problems including increased drought in some regions, increased hurricane activity and rising sea levels.
2. The Middle East (not known for its large numbers of stable political leaders) maintains its tight grip on a major energy source for the United States.
3. The polar ice caps continue to dwindle in a potential feedback loop (less ice means less heat reflected back into space which means less ice, etc.).

These are just three potential outcomes.

Now, to the side of those who think mankind is responsible for climate change. Suppose they come to power and, to their chagrin, find that their stance on climate change is wrong. What are the potential outcomes?

1. Air pollution above our cities diminishes greatly and oil spills become a thing of the past.
2. The United States has invested huge amounts of money into alternative energy sources creating new sources of revenue, new industries and they become the world leader in energy production.
3. We have lessened the grip that the Middle East has on us politically and economically which would potentially stabilize that region of the world or, at the very least, lessen our role in what are clearly internal issues.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that by moving away from a petroleum based economy, we have little to lose and a great deal to gain. And it's not a partisan issue. It's a logical, reasonable issue to consider. 

If we're wrong about climate change, all we've done is improve the world for future generations and helped our country maintain its status as the world's economic and technological leader for the 21st century.

If we're right about climate change, it's possible that we can save the world from our past mistakes.