Sen. Marco Rubio: "the climate's always changing...there has to be a cost benefit analysis for every one of the principles that people are pushing on"

Daily Kos: Marco Rubio: The climate is always changing

Rubio: Well, the problem with it is this, that number one anything that we would do on that would have a real impact on our economy. But probably, if it's only us doing it, a very negligible impact on the environment. Ultimately, if you look at the developing countries, which are not developing countries anymore. China, India and others. They're now the largest polluters in the world, by far. I mean they're the ones that are now...so to the extent that that's what you are trying to get at, the United States is a country. It's not a planet. On the other hand, if we unilaterally impose these sorts of things on our economy, it would have a devastating impact on economics, depending on which measure it is we are talking about. And I think that's what's more than anything standing in the way of doing anything on this. There has to be a cost benefit analysis for every one of the principles that people are pushing on. And the benefit I think is difficult to justify when you realize that it's only us doing it. Nobody else is doing this. What are the measurable principles. Host: Do you see global warming as a threat to Florida? Rubio: Well, first of all, the climate's always changing. That's not the fundamental question. The fundamental question is whether man-made activity is what is contributing most to it. I understand that people say there is a significant scientific consensus on that issue, but I've actually seen reasonable debate on that principle. But beyond it, the secondary question is, is there anything government can do about that that will actually make a difference. In essence, we can pass a law that prohibits X, it has this dollar impact on our economy which is devastating. But what's the benefit of it. Will it have a direct impact on actually turning around these climate changes that we are trying to address. And that's where I think this whole thing breaks down. When you look at the cost benefit analysis. ...I think when you look at the cost benefit analysis being proposed, if you did all these things they're talking about, what impact would it really have on these changes that we're outlining. On the other hand, I can tell you the impact it would have on certain industries and on our economy. And that's where it falls apart. ...On the other hand, if we unilaterally impose these sorts of things on our economy, it would have a devastating impact on economics, depending on which measure it is we are talking about. And I think that's what's more than anything standing in the way of doing anything on this. There has to be a cost benefit analysis for every one of the principles that people are pushing on. And the benefit I think is difficult to justify when you realize that it's only us doing it.