A drop in global GDP would be good for the planet | Letters

A reduction in the consumption of carbon-intensive products and services is not something to complain about, writes Terry Cannon

You cannot have it both ways and complain that global warming will harm GDP (Economic damage from climate change six times worse than thought - report, 17 May). A drop in global GDP is one of the best things that can happen to reduce global warming if it reduces consumption of carbon-intensive products and services. GDP is a very poor way to measure the negative impacts of global warming.

Much more relevant is to understand people's wellbeing and their livelihoods which, as is well known, are not measured verywell by GDP. What needs to be understood is how the different impacts of climate change affect the many types of livelihood.