Climate Change We Need a Carbon Tax - 1188 Words

One of the most compelling and difficult environmental problems society is facing today is climate change. People do not realize how much the environment has changed for the worse in the last ten years, until they are told that the last two decades of the 20th century have been the hottest in the last 400 years, according to climate studies (Conserve Energy Future). Today the carbon dioxide levels have reached 396.81 parts per million (ppm). â€Å"Carbon dioxide (CO2) has also increased over the last 100 years-- from about 300 ppm to 370 ppm. Interestingly, the majority of these additions have occurred in the last 50 years, when temperature increases have been slowest† (geocraft). There are no known solutions yet to reverse these effects in the†¦show more content†¦Richard Caperton, Director of Clean Energy Investment at the Center for American Progress, believes that having a carbon tax will be a good idea and it is needed to prove weather disasters and for many reas ons. First, he thinks that, â€Å"Be sufficiently robust that it leads to meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas pollution, getting us on a path that helps us avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change.† I think this will be effective, I mean it might cost companies more but if they refuse and stick to polluting the air, companies will face a tax that in the long run will be far more expensive. â€Å"A carbon tax would increase the cost of fossil fuels, encouraging companies to switch to currently more expensive fuels and leading households and companies to reduce energy use† (rff.org). Yes, it is definitely not going to be easy, and it is not going to be fixed in a matter of months. But by slowly changing the ways corporations pollute carbon dioxide into the atmosphere then maybe there can actually be a way to solve climate change. Going ‘green’ as some say, means choosing an alternative source that uses less energy, saving fuel cost. The IRS is actually rewarding business who invest in alternative sources allowing some business a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost (Weltman). People are the most vulnerable to the impact that climate change has, â€Å"theirShow MoreRelatedClimate Warming And Its Effects On Climate Change Essay1713 Words   |  7 Pagesnarrow range; however, for the first time in our history we have pushed above our historical temperature range due to emittance of anthropogenic carbon emissions. Scientists are uncertain of how much warming humanity can tolerate before experiencing the most destructive and dangerous effects of climate change, but most believe that two degrees Celsius is a good starting point to aim for. Thus, the stated goal of many international climate dialogs, such as the Paris Agreements, has been to stop theRead MoreClimate Change And Global Change1531 Words   |  7 PagesArroyo, executive director of the Georgetown Climate Center at Georgetown Law. We can t lose another four years, much less eight years (Neuhauser). The next Americans President, experts say, may be the very last who can avert catastrophe from climate change which makes it very important for the next American President to give climate change the top most priority. This requires the Presidential candidates to believe in the danger posed by climate change. In addition to this, it also requires theRead MoreGlobal Warming And Its Effect On The Environment933 Words   |  4 Pagesand entire portions of the ecosystem were erased from the seabed (Zolfagharifard). Scientists explain that we can expect more intense storms such as Ita in the future, explaining that â€Å"warming is expected to make tropical cyclones (hurricanes) more intense† (Weeks). Global communities cannot ignore the warning any longer and must take action to reduce further climate change. Climate change is widely acknowledged by scientists as the greatest current threat to our planet. Dependence on fossil fuelsRead MoreThere Has Been Confusion About What A Carbon Tax Is And1296 Words   |  6 Pagesconfusion about what a carbon tax is and does; perhaps the word ‘tax’ is to blame. Unlike most taxes it’s not aimed at raising revenue but at changing behaviour, to make it more likely that Australia will meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Australia has more reason to do this than most other countries. We are the biggest per capita emitter of carbon dioxide among developed nations, and the world’s 10thbiggest emitter overall, despite our small population. In 2009 we emitted 19.64Read MoreWhy British Columbia Should Continue Gradually Increase Price On Carbon Tax1245 Words   |  5 Pagesproblems. The evidence of global warming, like drying rivers, extinction of species, melting of glaciers, became more often around the planet. The climate change became a threat to healthy environment and prosperity of humanity and wildlife, and the world community started searching for solution to combat climate change. In 2008 British Columbia introduced carbon tax on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reduce global warming. Starting from $10 per tonne of CO2, the price was increasing annually till it reachedRead MoreThe United States Environmental Association994 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States Environmental Association (EPA) has listed natural changes in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations, volcanic eruptions and solar energy as some of the natural causes of climate changes on earth. However, the recent climate changes cannot be explained by natural causes alone. Research indicates that natural causes are very unlikely to explain most observed warming, especially warming since the mid-20th century. Rather, human activities can very likely explain most of that warmingRead MoreEssay On Carbon Taxes1298 Word s   |  6 PagesPrudent Carbon Taxes and Targeting Social Costs Carbon taxing coal-based products, in a revenue-neutral way, will help discourage overuse of fossil fuels. The United States needs to reduce carbon emissions in order to avoid the costs that pollution and climate change inflict on the general economy and individuals. Carbon, unlike other commodities exchanged and consumed in the free market, bears unique costs to the general economy that its market price does not encompass. The pollution we create whenRead MoreHow Governments Can Help Aid The Climate Issue1195 Words   |  5 Pages 1. When issues arise, governments are the ones that intervene into the market to correct market failures; these include issues such as climate change. In order to correct these issues government use methods such as inequality, externalities and public goods. This restores efficiency as well as increasing the economic well being of society. The environment is accessible by every individual as it is non-excludable. Thus, meaning that no one can be prohibited from using it and one person’s use diminishesRead MoreGovernment Policies And The Targets Of The Policy1530 Words   |  7 Pageslevel of government that will adopt the policy and the targets of the policy. A carbon tax is a tax that is based on the amount of greenhouse emissions that are made from burning fossil fuels. The tax would either directly tax emissions or tax the fuels and chemicals that produce CO2 when they are burned. The carbon tax would be adopted by the federal government in an attempt to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon tax is an economic instrument that can be a cost effective way of greenhouse gasRead MoreGlobal Warming Will Damage The Wildlife And Environment1492 Words   |  6 PagesSince the industrial revolution, greenhouse gas emissions, namely carbon dioxide, have been on the rise. Greenhouse gases are generally created when fossil fuels are burned. Many daily activities require burning fossil fuels—warming houses, driving cars, and using electricity. As written in Horizons, Canada emits some of the most greenhouse gases globally, and will be especially susceptible given its latitude (Cranny et al. 17). Global warming will damage the wildlife and environment. â€Å"Humans depend