S2E2: Open Borders: immigration, climate change, & economic growth—w/ Dr. Bryan Caplan

How does immigration impact the environment? There are ideological arguments against open borders both right and left of center, and yes, the economic growth that would likely result from such a liberal policy would increase emissions—at first. But there is an environmental argument FOR allowing more and more people to immigrate to rich countries.

 

Dr. Bryan Caplan is a Professor of Economics at George Mason University and New York Times Bestselling author. His most recent release is a collaboration with Zach Weinersmith called Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration. On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Bryan joins Ross and Paul to discuss the thesis of his new nonfiction graphic novel and explain his view that open borders would ultimately double the productivity of humankind.

 

Bryan introduces us to the value of his Ideological Turing Test and practice of public betting, discussing why he likes to hold people accountable for their views in objective, quantifiable ways. Listen in for Bryan’s insight around how open borders are likely to impact the climate, the responsibility rich countries have to climate refugees, and the best keyhole solutions to social issues around immigration and the environment.

 

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Key Takeaways

 

[1:04] The value of Bryan’s ideological Turing test

Explain view disagree with to blind audience as believer Advances dialogue past most common objections

 

[4:44] Bryan’s public bet with Yoram Bauman on global warming

Bet on global warming pause to continue through 2030 3:1 odds

 

[7:35] Why Bryan engages in public betting

Hold people accountable for views in quantifiable way Requires specificity + deadline, someone who disagrees

 

[11:32] The thesis of Bryan’s nonfiction graphic novel Open Borders

Immigration restrictions should be justified Immigrants to rich countries become vastly more productive Research indicates tens of trillions/year in economic gains

 

[19:20] How open borders are likely to impact the climate

Pollution rises in early, middle stages of economic growth Environmental Kuznets curve (richest = relatively clean) Pollution tax much better than keeping people in poverty

 

[27:22] Bryan’s insight on the degrowther argument 

Propose rich countries cut back consumption by 50% Give surplus to poor countries for not industrializing

 

[30:49] The responsibility rich countries have to climate refugees

Island nations sinking because of climate change Make immigration easier BEFORE disaster strikes

 

[34:01] Bryan’s take on the opposition to immigration

Stems from fundamental human xenophobia Easy to blame outgroups for problems, justify harm

 

[39:56] How US opinion on immigration has evolved since 2000

Less than 10% in favor of more immigration Increase to 30% in favor today

 

[42:51] The idea of keyhole solutions to social problems

Conceived of by economic journalist Tim Harford Advocates for cheapest, most humane way to solve issue Solutions like pollution tax or tolls based on time of day Provides incentive to innovate (e.g.: cars that pollute less)

 

[48:22] How Bryan thinks about adding to the human population

More to consider than pollution each person generates Contribution usually outweighs harm individual causes

 

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Resources

 

Bryan’s Website

Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration by Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith

Bryan on EconLog

Books by Bryan

Yoram Bauman on Twitter

The Cartoon Introduction to Climate Change by Yoram Bauman and Grady Klein

The Cartoon History of the Universe by Larry Gonick

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Hard Heads, Soft Hearts: Tough-Minded Economics for a Just Society by Alan S. Blinder

Naomi Klein

The Simpsons’ Open Borders Meme

Tim Harford

Julian Simon

The Infinite Resource: The Power of Ideas on a Finite Planet by Ramez Naam