How to Make the World a Better Place | Bjørn Lomborg and Ralph Schoellhammer | EP 285

Practical Enlightenment: Strategic Paths to Global Betterment

In a thought-provoking episode featuring Bjørn Lomborg, a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, and political scientist Ralph Schoellhammer, the conversation pivots around effective strategies to make the world a better place. Lomborg, acclaimed for his pragmatic environmentalism and authorship of influential books like False Alarm and Cool It, brings evidence-based analysis into discussions on global welfare and environmental policy.

Core Concepts and Philosophies:

Lomborg and Schoellhammer explore several foundational concepts:

• Cost-Effective Global Priorities: The importance of setting priorities that maximize benefits while considering economic costs.
• Critique of Overzealous Environmental Policies: They discuss the unintended negative impacts of well-intended but economically and socially disruptive environmental policies.
• Prosperity as a Catalyst for Improvement: The dialogue reinforces the idea that increasing global prosperity is one of the most effective ways to alleviate environmental issues and improve general welfare.

Practical Strategies and Advice:

• Investment in Green Technology: Lomborg advocates for significant investment in green technologies that are not only sustainable but also economically viable.
• Rational Environmental Policies: They suggest implementing environmental policies that balance long-term benefits without sacrificing immediate economic stability.
• Data-Driven Policy Making: Emphasizing the need for policies based on robust data to avoid the pitfalls of emotionally driven decisions.

Supporting Evidence:

Lomborg references empirical data and economic models to argue against alarmist views that do not account for technological advancements and adaptive capacities of economies. He also discusses historical trends that show improved living standards correlate with better environmental care.

Personal Application:

Both Lomborg and Schoellhammer personally advocate for a pragmatic approach to environmentalism and global development. Lomborg, through his work with the Copenhagen Consensus, has involved hundreds of economists to find smart solutions for global challenges, reflecting his commitment to data-driven decision making.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques:

• Educational Outreach: They recommend educational initiatives that can help the public and policymakers understand the complex interplay between economic policies and environmental outcomes.
• Policy Simulation Models: Use of advanced simulation models to predict the outcomes of policy changes, which can help in crafting more effective government policies.

This episode serves as a critical reminder of the power of informed and measured approaches to tackling global challenges. Lomborg’s insights, supported by rigorous research and a global perspective, offer valuable lessons in how we might direct our resources for maximum impact.