Isn’t it great? We are no longer arguing about whether climate change is a scientific fantasy but rather debating over how to solve it. I like it, but we need to start taking action very quickly. According to IPCC (Internal Panel on Climate Change), we only have about 10-15 years left to start reversing our C02 emissions before the damage becomes so great that its irreversible.
Liberals, NDP, Obama and McCain are generally in favor of some form of permit trading (a.k.a. cap-and-trade policy) but now it seems some Liberal bloggers (Bigcitylib & Cherniak, etc.) are arguing to move away from their current platform in favor of carbon taxes which I think just adds to the general confusion associated with where the party stands. They are probably trying to create support for the potential Liberal carbon shift plan (that could feature a form of carbon taxation) that might be used in the next election. I like both blogs, I read them regularly, but don’t see the need for all the partisanship especially when the current Liberal platform from March 2007 featured (still the current plan on the website):
5. Establishing a carbon trading system – One of the primary reasons for adopting our approach is to give our companies a head start in preparing to participate in and profit from emerging global carbon markets. Companies who are below their ‘carbon budget’ will be able to trade their unused allotments to other Canadians firms. - March 2007 Liberal Carbon Budget
I think a more balanced position is a comprehensive plan. Policies like permit trading (a.k.a. cap-and-trade) have proven to be effective in the past when it comes to air pollution. For example, eliminating Ozone Depleting Chemicals as part of the Montreal Protocol which was an international agreement based on permit trading. Other policies like carbon taxes and simple regulation can also be part of the solution. Non-partisan economist would favor permit trading because its more efficient. I tend to agree but like any policy, the details will be important to make sure its socially just and fair to low and middle income families.
Lets just get it done already because we are running out of time. As a country we need to take a leadership role because we still need to convince others too.
we are all capable of cutting CO2 emmissions however it is only the little things that most of us can do. One of the biggest threats being car emissions can be slowed if everyone could afford fuel efficient cars however as soon as somthing is a need the business angle kicks in and price is always set high. I myself was looking at a fuel efficent car however the insurance and cost on it was ridiculos. I think the government needs to take an active role in this mabye next time we have a budget surplus hows about dividing it up into grants to give to people to afford replacement cost at least for their old vehicles to the newer fuel efficient ones. a sort of national refit initiative. Old technology needs to be replaced for the betterment of society and not everyone can afford the newer stuff. its sort of like the medicare system where OHIP covers most Medical Costs. Becasue helthcare is provided by the state alot of people benefit otherwise hospital bills and clinic and medicne costs would eat up the publics wealth. cutting power use and recycling are all good but we need to tackle some of the other big issues like feul efficency to reduce fossil fuel burning on our part.