After ten years of pondering I have come round to the view that both carbon credits and carbon taxes--carbon prices--are futile.
Regulatory systems are too easily gamed by seasoned political lobbyists. The same with subsidies for "clean" technologies. Greed and political opportunism are, if not the point of the approaches, then inevitable outcomes.
What we need in situations like this is a ban. Stop. No more.
Many, many things still not dealt with are still around to trouble humanity. At this very moment, an assinine set of prejudices from that era still trouble even supposedly bright and responsible people in high places, as the ROBO debt inquiry should make obvious.
The Queensland Labor Government is competing to be one of the worst enemies of the people. The front page story of the AFR today says 'Energy and industry experts said Queensland's main concern was that the price of power was set by the highest bidder, which is currently gas. If the price of gas is capped, as it will be, Queensland would not be able to bid up the price of its-coal fired power into the National Electricity Market to gouge consumers and maximise the dividends the state-owned generators return to the government.'
This is all true, (though the AFR neglects to mention the equally culpable rhetoric and behaviour of the gas companies).
QLD govt are wanting to increase royalties, to keep pace with increased price per tonne. There’s talk of an additional $15B pa or more into treasury, which has to be a good thing for treasurers. The downside is that people and institutions become dependent on royalties, they corrupt the recipient.
The first World Climate Conference was held in 1979. Enough was already known then to begin action to reduce emissions.
It is tragic to watch greed and political opportunism destroy a price on carbon.
After ten years of pondering I have come round to the view that both carbon credits and carbon taxes--carbon prices--are futile.
Regulatory systems are too easily gamed by seasoned political lobbyists. The same with subsidies for "clean" technologies. Greed and political opportunism are, if not the point of the approaches, then inevitable outcomes.
What we need in situations like this is a ban. Stop. No more.
Paul Norton is not so wrong.
Many, many things still not dealt with are still around to trouble humanity. At this very moment, an assinine set of prejudices from that era still trouble even supposedly bright and responsible people in high places, as the ROBO debt inquiry should make obvious.
The Queensland Labor Government is competing to be one of the worst enemies of the people. The front page story of the AFR today says 'Energy and industry experts said Queensland's main concern was that the price of power was set by the highest bidder, which is currently gas. If the price of gas is capped, as it will be, Queensland would not be able to bid up the price of its-coal fired power into the National Electricity Market to gouge consumers and maximise the dividends the state-owned generators return to the government.'
This is all true, (though the AFR neglects to mention the equally culpable rhetoric and behaviour of the gas companies).
QLD govt are wanting to increase royalties, to keep pace with increased price per tonne. There’s talk of an additional $15B pa or more into treasury, which has to be a good thing for treasurers. The downside is that people and institutions become dependent on royalties, they corrupt the recipient.