Bjorn Lomborg reacts to New York Times hyping of new study on sea level. Rising Seas Could Menace Millions Beyond Shorelines, Study Finds
Everyone ran this story, but badly reported
253 million people will *not* be at risk in 2100
Study assumes we rip out all coastal defenses — absurdly unrealistic
With realistic assumptions, numbers at least 100-1000 lowerhttps://t.co/JVqOHpkG4J
— Bjorn Lomborg (@BjornLomborg) August 3, 2020
Central quote
Only true if "no dykes or sea walls in place"
Great for scary stories, bad for informing policy
How is it relevant for mayor of New York or Jakarta to know what happens if humanity rips out all dikes and sea walls?https://t.co/2zPF0Lij0D (p8, supplement) pic.twitter.com/TR6SfjqNjA
— Bjorn Lomborg (@BjornLomborg) August 3, 2020
Many of the same researchers have already found that just the difference between *existing* and *increasing* protection as we get richer and as sea levels rise
impacts will be reduced 100-1000 timeshttps://t.co/9k7czKcDEY pic.twitter.com/HH1MnObiYb
— Bjorn Lomborg (@BjornLomborg) August 3, 2020
Indeed, using their data for more adaptation vs no additional adaptation you get this picture (and of course, the article even assumes we rip out all current protection)
Is this making us well-informed, or just scared?https://t.co/kJetO61F8J pic.twitter.com/EBOVgDspGQ
— Bjorn Lomborg (@BjornLomborg) August 3, 2020
