Thus The New York Times today. “Even after a year of high temperatures and drought,” the newspapers explains, “President Obama and Mitt Romney have seemed intent on trying to outdo each other as lovers of coal, oil, and natural gas.” Surprise, surprise. Now that the limping economy is in the focus of all, the environment is best avoided. The environment will come back into focus if and when the economy improves sufficiently to warrant such a shift. God only knows when that will be, though. But it is good to remember the silver lining in this case: the economic downturn cannot but help the environment recuperate no matter how slightly. As for the inertia in climate change, little or nothing can be done about it, anyhow. All in all, Obama and Romney are best advised to avoid talking about climate change. At best, they are liable to say something stupid.