If the global economic collapse turns out to be as severe, and as long-lasting, as it is giving every sign of being, in ten years time we will all be slouching around, with our arses hanging out of our trousers, and feasting on boiled cardboard. But there might be some unexpected good news, too: as the wheels of industry grind to a halt, so too will emissions of fossil fuels. Perhaps not to zero, but by a fairly significant amount. Maybe even enough to stem the seemingly unstemmable tide of global warming.
The only way out of such an economic trough is by way of government spending, in particular spending on large infrastructure projects. And, as I have said here before (and as has been taken up by Thomas L Friedman, amongst others, but remember You Saw It Here First), it's not rocket science to figure out that the best use that such funds could be put to is re-engineering the world's economies so that when the upswing comes (as it always does) it can take place in environmentally sustainable ways. Roll out the solar panels. Dig those geothermal pipes. Hoist those wind turbines. Et cetera.
You know, it just might work.
