Energy

Canada Declares Climate Emergency, Then Approves Massive Oil Pipeline Expansion

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Canada Declares Climate Emergency, Then Approves Massive Oil Pipeline Expansion

Only one day after declaring a climate emergency, Canada has approved the expansion of a massive pipeline that will increase oil production in Alberta and release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

On Monday night, Canada’s parliament passed a motion brought forward by Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna calling climate change a “real and urgent crisis, driven by human activity,” and requiring the government to make deep emissions reductions to meet its Paris commitments.

 

New York to Approve One of the World’s Most Ambitious Climate Plans – The New York Times

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New York to Approve One of the World’s Most Ambitious Climate Plans – The New York Times

New York lawmakers have agreed to pass a sweeping climate plan that calls for the state to all but eliminate its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, envisioning an era when gas-guzzling cars, oil-burning heaters and furnaces would be phased out, and all of the state’s electricity would come from carbon-free sources.

It certainly sounds like an ambitious plan, and setting goals are important. Goals are great, but will there be a sustained commitment towards the goal? Or will the economic pain in out years lead the goal being ignored. Certainly it's a good statement of principles, and long overdue, and it will be interesting how it plays out.

The Arctic Ocean and Greenland ice sheet have seen record June ice loss – The Washington Post

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The Arctic Ocean and Greenland ice sheet have seen record June ice loss – The Washington Post

Ice is melting in unprecedented ways as summer approaches in the Arctic. In recent days, observations have revealed a record-challenging melt event over the Greenland ice sheet, while the extent of ice over the Arctic Ocean has never been this low in mid-June during the age of weather satellites. Greenland saw temperatures soar up to 40 degrees above normal Wednesday, while open water exists in places north of Alaska where it seldom, if ever, has in recent times.

Replace income taxes with a carbon tax

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I think we should replace the corporate and income tax with a high carbon tax…

Wilcox Outlet Flatwater

The economics of a high carbon tax is simple. If gasoline is $15 gallon people will motor a lot less and if electricity is $500 a month per household, ipeople will use a lot less. Sure there will be a lot of pain in the short run but people will find ways to survive if polluting practices are expensive. Efficient businesses and efficient practices are rewarded with a carbon tax.

We want to encourage wealth and investment in society. A carbon tax and repealing taxes on individuals and businesses will encourage investment rather than consumption. There is too little savings and too much consumption.

I think we need to stop focusing on the poor, and focus on what’s right for our country as a whole – economic growth, jobs and promotion of efficient practices. There is too much waste in society that high taxes on carbon could root out of society – even if it hurts a certain people as times change.