Quote:Which method is the better at reducing greenhouse gases Freedriver?
Carbon taxes - see the links I posted.
Quote:And which would be easier to link in with a world effort.
Again carbon taxes. They avoid the need for governments to cede economic soveriegnty to an international regulatory body. We do not have to set up a trading scheme. We merely have to agree on a minimum price (tax) on CO2 emissions. Countries can then do what they want with the proceeds. With taxes, the entire scheme does not fall apart just because one country undermines it, as could happen with a trading scheme. We have seen over the last 20 years how it is virtually impossible to set up an international trading scheme.
Quote:Wouldn't an ETS be better for both aims?
No. I creates enourmous uncertainty in the price and hence the return on investments in reducing GHG emissions. This favours investments with quick returns over more fundamental changes that are cheaper in the long run. They also miss the opportunity to lower other taxes.
Quote:For example, you can take your family of 4 kids on a bus for 2 hours to get to a destination your car could take you in 20minutes. only a fool takes the bus. THATS the real problem.
But it is not a problem. If you take the train to work and the car for the family trip, you have almost completely eliminated your transport emissions. A tax encourages such rational outcomes by maximising choice.
Quote:You are talking about taxing an essiential commodity
News flash - most things that are taxed are essential. It is actually a well established economic principle that taxes do less economic harm if applied to essential commodoties.
CO2 emissions however are not essential. I bet you have never bought CO2 emissions in your life. What you have bought are goods and services that can be derived from CO2 emissions, in hugely varying quantities.
Are you happy with reducing CO2 emissions, just no taxing them? Or are you trying to walk backwards towards the point you are making?
Quote:Unless things can be done to neutralise the cost of living with housing
Did you get the 'revenue neutral' bit?
Quote:making petrol so expensive that people cant afford it
Who here has suggested that? Do you have any idea how much difference it would make to the price at the bowser?
Quote:There is also businesses that play a very important part in the community which shouldnt be dimissed as just Co2 emitters.
If they really are that important then the tax will not put them out of business. It will only put out of business those companies that were not so important after all.
Quote:Its easy to point and say take public transport but the avaliability of that is virtually nil outside of the cities.
Perhaps you should start with what I did say then. No need to make up statements to argue against.