Lomborg understands that in a world of scarcity, choices involve costs and that trade-offs must be made.
Pope Francis's concern for the poor is clear, so it is understandable that climate change is the topic of his forthcoming Encyclical — a Papal letter that is sent out to the world. Climate change will hit the most destitute people first and worst.
But the climate policies of today will do little for the poor. This doesn’t mean that we should ignore climate change. There are two compelling actions that should be part of the Pope’s prescription. Phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels would not only help the planet, it would free money to spend on education and health. And the rich world needs to increase investments in green energy research, to speed the day when renewable energy sources can outcompete fossil fuels
But we also need to recognize that the actions that would most help the world's poor are not climate policies. Ensuring freer trade, greater access to family planning, and nutritional interventions cost a fraction of expensive, inefficient climate policies. When helping the world's poorest is the goal, these are the investments that would truly make the biggest difference.
The above is what Lomborg posted on Facebook with this link to a recent op-ed piece he wrote.