Comparing the world economy to climate change

From the BBC's report on Professor King's warning about temperature rise:

" President Bush's chief climate adviser James Connaughton said recently that he did not believe anyone could forecast a safe CO2 level.

"He said cutting greenhouse gas emissions could harm the world economy, which would have damaging effects of its own."

I'm sure damaging the world economy won't lead to mass extinctions, severe water shortages affecting up to half the world's population or dangerous rises in sea levels. It's about time the human race woke up to the fact that a little bit of hardship now - you know, the sort that says you only earn enough to pay your bills, put a roof over your head, eat at night and generally grow to appreciate what you've got instead of constantly yearning to plug that aching gap by consuming even more - will reap dividends later. Blimey, people might even learn some useful new skills - you know, like growing food, fixing problems, that sort of thing...