Category Archives: energy and the environment

Daniel Kahan Discovers Expressive Voting

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Arnold Kling

He said, Look: What an ordinary individual believes about the “facts” on climate change has no impact on the climate. What he or she does as a consumer, as a voter, or as a participant in public debate is just … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment, Politics | 3 Comments

Noah Smith on Solar Power

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Arnold Kling

He writes, Solar is a libertarian dream. The utility companies that states like Oklahoma are scrambling to protect are cozy government-protected monopolies (though eventually they too will survive by switching to solar). Rooftop solar offers a chance for independent homeowners … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment, Timothy Taylor is my Favorite Blogger | 16 Comments

Climate Models vs. Macroeconomic Models

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Arnold Kling

In a podcast with Russ Roberts, Kerry Emanuel says, there is a huge difference between climate modeling and economic modeling. We know the equations. You guys don’t. Okay? And we actually know the equations we are trying to solve. And … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment | 15 Comments

Wesley Mouch’s Assistant

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Arnold Kling

CBS reports, Lesley Stahl: Let me interrupt you. You were the government. How many of the loans were you involved in? Steven Koonin: Difficult to know the exact number. But I would say in the order of 30. Lesley Stahl: … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment, public choice | 6 Comments

Energy Breakthroughs?

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Arnold Kling

The latest issue of MIT Technology Review lists ten (not-yet-proven) breakthrough technologies. Two that caught my eye: Solar panels that are twice as efficient as current designs. Although I strongly oppose subsidizing current solar industries, I do hope for a … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment | 7 Comments

Wesley Mouch Update

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Arnold Kling

Veronique de Rugy writes, In 2009, Fisker received a $529 million federal loan from the Department of Energy’s ATVM program. According to the New York Times, two years after receiving the loans, the company repeatedly missed production targets and other … Continue reading →

Posted in business economics, energy and the environment, public choice | 3 Comments

Worse Than Macroeconometrics

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Arnold Kling

Steve McIntyre seems to pour cold water on a study allegedly demonstrating global warming. As you see, there is a persistent decline in the alkenone reconstruction in the 20th century using published dates, but a 20th century increase using Marcott-Shakun … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment, statistical methods | 4 Comments

Solar Power

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Arnold Kling

Noah Smith writes, I guess I should give a concrete prediction about when solar will actually start being cost-competitive with fossil fuels, without subsidies, in some locations for some customers. My prediction is: around 2020, or 7 years from now. … Continue reading →

Posted in energy and the environment, Timothy Taylor is my Favorite Blogger | 8 Comments