Comments on: Carl Pope Breaks With Traditional Climate Agenda http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/08/29/carl-pope-breaks-with-traditional-climate-agenda/ Dispatches from the Youth Climate Movement Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:21:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU hourly 1 By: Carlos Rymer http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/08/29/carl-pope-breaks-with-traditional-climate-agenda/#comment-67471 Carlos Rymer Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:41:56 +0000 http://itsgettinghotinhere.wordpress.com/?p=5547#comment-67471 I don't see why higher energy prices should be a goal rather than a consequence. We have to remember that the price is still very high. Billions in subsidies and billions more in health costs, pollution, and other direct consequences of fossil fuels are non non-existent. More realistic prices could reflect all of these and therefore reduce them (the externalities, that is). I think shadowing prices is just buying into a culture of ignorance, which is what the U.S. has been doing for a while. At the same time, I agree that we need to minimize costs, and that we should be investing billions into improved energy efficiency, cheaper technologies, etc. I also think those who can pay the least for higher prices should not pay; instead, they should be given tax rebates to compensate for any increases in prices. A carbon tax could well do that, and it has been shown to do so already. Politically, some might say no because it would mean a lost election in the next round, but I think Obama's message fits well here. We can't continue politics as usual. And we can't just expect change from government; we need society to change. I think it's important to understand that. I don’t see why higher energy prices should be a goal rather than a consequence. We have to remember that the price is still very high. Billions in subsidies and billions more in health costs, pollution, and other direct consequences of fossil fuels are non non-existent. More realistic prices could reflect all of these and therefore reduce them (the externalities, that is). I think shadowing prices is just buying into a culture of ignorance, which is what the U.S. has been doing for a while.

At the same time, I agree that we need to minimize costs, and that we should be investing billions into improved energy efficiency, cheaper technologies, etc. I also think those who can pay the least for higher prices should not pay; instead, they should be given tax rebates to compensate for any increases in prices. A carbon tax could well do that, and it has been shown to do so already. Politically, some might say no because it would mean a lost election in the next round, but I think Obama’s message fits well here. We can’t continue politics as usual. And we can’t just expect change from government; we need society to change. I think it’s important to understand that.

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