clair031

Summary .   The worldwide need to abate emissions of greenhouse gases is becoming more important with every passing year.   Nevertheless, the U. S. has never enacted federal legislation that would limit its emissions.      This post describes a proposal for a cap-and-trade market mechanism to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the U. S. , presented in a recent op-ed article.   Then cap-and-trade is compared with a direct tax or fee on carbon fuels.   It is concluded that a carbon tax or fee is far more advantageous than a cap-and-trade mechanism, for its effectiveness, efficiency and freedom from the need to create a new bureaucracy to oversee its operation.   The revenues generated can be applied in a variety of ways that would be politically acceptable.   Adoption of a carbon tax or fee in the U. S. is strongly recommended.   Introduction .   The nations of the world are currently on a path of emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs)...

Summary .   Four former Administrators of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, all of whom served under Republican presidents, are urging the members of the U. S. Congress to overcome partisan divisions and pass meaningful legislation to combat global warming.   They state that science clearly shows the planet is warming, and point out that further inaction is harmful because the window of time remaining for action is shrinking.   They observe that President Obama’s Climate Action Plan is noteworthy and should be endorsed by the Congress.   Additionally they propose a fee on use of carbon fuels as an effective means for abating the rate of emissions and consequent worsening of global warming.   Here, we present an example of the effectiveness of a tax on gasoline fuel in reducing consumption. Carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere, once emitted, and remains for very long times without being removed by natural processes or human technology.   Th...