# We Stop Emitting CO2, Methane, Other Greenhouse Gases Tomorrow - Now What? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 29, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-stop-emitting-co2-methane-other-greenhouse-gases-tomorrow-now-what/805530 "2017-12-29T17:55:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 22
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-stop-emitting-co2-methane-other-greenhouse-gases-tomorrow-now-what/805530/22 "2018-06-23T22:33:23Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > Opening up of the Arctic for further energy exploration, which melts more ice, which allows for further energy exploration, which [increases profits.](https://i.redd.it/k0gfhzllma501.jpg) Or, you know, opening up northern sea lanes, which would reduce the energy required for worldwide shipping. Also the conversion of millions of acres of tundra into arable land. And the reduction in heating energy in the populous and wealthy northern regions of the globe. The truth is, moderate global warming (2C or less) may actually be a net economic benefit to the planet for these reasons and others, while still being damaging to equatorial countries and coastal regions. At some point the costs outweigh the gains, but the exact temperature at which this point is reached is really unknowable. The economy and ability of humanity to adapt to new conditions makes this a very hard thing to figure out. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-stop-emitting-co2-methane-other-greenhouse-gases-tomorrow-now-what/805530)._