Environmental Economics: I was on the Danny Fontana Show

And The Danny Fontana Show can only have the best guests:

Fun. Entertaining. Engaging. Intelligent. These are just a few of the words used to describe The Danny Fontana Show. If you’re tired of the same old boring, uninformed regurgitation of the news each day, make a change in your listening habits.

This two hour daily show is a hot talk format that looks at the current hot issue of the day. Danny will look at this issue from a political, economic and spiritual perspective.

My segment was scheduled for 5:20 on Tuesday, June 26. At this time I was also scheduled to be on vacation, at my mother's in Kentucky. I figured I could handle the call amidst the chaos.

12:30-4:30

I spent the afternoon at the pool with two little people, trying to encourage independence in a 5 year old while constantly holding an almost 3 year old who wanted to splash and nap. After 3 hours we hit the bath, brushed hair, dressed and scrambled to get things going.

4:30-5:17

Due at a restaurant ASAP to meet my little sister and family. It's about a 25 minute drive into Louisville. I get everyone in the car (car seats, walker, Harold and the Purple Crayon DVD rolling [Sharon Stone is the narrator ... Sharon Stone! I love that DVD) -- without screaming "hurry the #$%& up! -- in time so that I can take the call without a kid fight.

5:18-5:27

Driving on HWY 146 towards Buckner I get the phone call, arrogantly tell my mother that I have a radio interview and proceed to talk on the cell phone while driving (yes, I know that talking on the cell phone while driving makes me a jerk, risking the lives of my passengers and others -- but I overestimate by driving ability and take a call every now and then).

The first two questions from Danny Fontana, assuming the role of climate skeptic, were prodding me to help him understand the science. My answer was about the same both times: "I can't help you there, I'm an economist, we took the scientific consensus and estimated the economic impacts." The second answer was longer so Danny went to the economics. I've learned quickly that the long rambling answers to questions meant to make you look bad will quickly lead to a change of subject. Also, if you mention Jesus is your personal lord and savior ...

Real question #1: I can't remember.

Real question #2: Won't we always have beachfront property?

Answer #2: yes, our methodology addressed that.

[Mom starts screaming that I took the wrong turn -- we're supposed to go straight to the restaurant, I head towards my sister's -- I carry on, seemingly oblivious ]

Real question #3: Did your study consider inland impacts? Er, no [isn't "coastal" in the title?] I know where they'd be going after I hung up but I didn't say anything. The NC agriculture and forestry industries will likely be positively affected by climate change. Our study didn't address a lot of other impacts either (therefore it is a "shallow" study, I guess).

Real question #4: Compared to the entire state economy, how big are these impacts?

Answer #4: Small, very small.

Danny: Thanks ...