The basic idea of opportunity costs is simple - how it is used in policy
debate is not.
I agree that Lomborg is not really very forthright when he opposes
anti-global warming measures with all those other good things. We are NOT
given the opportunity to choose between them. Sort of like saying, the
opportunity cost of my going to the movies is a small child starving in
Somalia. There is something deeply dishonest and/or misleading about such a
statement.
BUT
There is something to the notion. If I do X, I do not do what I would
otherwise have done if I did not do X. Call it Y. The opportunity cost of
doing X is Y. The notion is reasonable at this level.
Gus diZerega
Dept. of Politics
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA 99362
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