[hydrox24]

Such breakthroughs will undoubtedly occur. But we cannot rely on breakthroughs for any particular problem.

In the case of the horse→car substitution in NY in the late 19th century, the optimal situation was that noone worries too much, and the car is invented, and all is well.

But they could not have known that it was a horse substitute which would be invented. Imagine if 19th century Londoners, faced with a bulging, over-capacity sewerage system, had rested easy in the knowledge that a breakthrough would sooner or later come along to save them.

It would have been catastrophic. No such breakthrough occurred and they did need to worry. In reality, they worried enough that they build a whole new system and there was never a crisis.

We should not make the mistake of hoping that the right technology will come along to fix Global warming.

Technological process is almost assured. But in any given area we have no idea how much will occur, and how soon.

[yetihehe]

> We should not make the mistake of hoping that the right technology will come along to fix Global warming.

If everyone hopes for such technology and no one tries to invent it, as you say, it won't come along.