| Sumario: | In a review essay, the writer discusses two recently published volumes on the economics of climate change, both of which are by Nicholas Stern. In these two volumes, Stern is keen to emphasize that if the climate deteriorates, future people may be poorer. Within his ethical calculus, this strengthens the case for action on climate change immediately. A dollar of benefit to them would be justified even if, at present, it costs more than a dollar. However, it is a stretch to accept that global warming is going to be extreme enough to offset all of the growth from technical progress. Moreover, Stern's contention about future people being poorer shows the importance of differences in income when making comparisons within the radical-utilitarian calculus.
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