Kevin Anderson (@KevinClimate) speaks prolifically [1] about how the (perverse) incentives in climate science are actually in the opposite direction from your e

Kevin Anderson (@KevinClimate) speaks prolifically [1] about how the (perverse) incentives in climate science are actually in the opposite direction from your expectation, towards less alarmism. Policymakers want to hear that the problem is fixable with little disruption to the status quo. These policymakers and their representatives are more likely to dismiss climate predictions that require radical action. This leads many climate modelers to include tricks such as negative emission technologies (NETs) -- which are pure science fiction -- in order to keep emission reduction prescriptions friendly to their audience. Thus, the models become more moderate while the situation grows more dire. One recent example of such a dynamic was Germany's recent plan to phase out coal (by 2038). The committee that drew up the recommendations was overruled on several key elements, such as the decision to not to open a new coal power plant this year. Although the committee was and is correct that opening new coal power plants is not compatible with our CO2 emissions goals under the Paris agreement, which are in turn our best estimate of the maximum we can emit and still have civilization past the next couple decades, lawmakers didn't want to hear it. 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk49vAmNoiQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk49vAmNoiQ