Yes, this does come from the same paper that kills lots of trees and uses vast amounts of power and fossil fuels to gather the news, publish their paper, and distribute their paper
In a welcome development, businesses are asking world leaders to do more to address climate change. This week, the top executives of six large European oil and gas companies called for a tax on carbon emissions.
These companies — the BG Group, BP, Eni, Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil and Total — are not taking a bold environmental stand. They are being pragmatic. They want an efficient and predictable policy to limit greenhouse gas emissions because they realize something must be done. Numerous scientists, economists, environmentalists and political leaders have previously proposed similar ideas.
They understand two things: first, they can pay lip service to the Cult of Climastrology, partially thinking that this will catch them a bit of a break from the unhinged activities of CoC activists (who take fossil fueled trips to protest fossil fuels companies). Second, they understand that they can make a boatload of money off a carbon tax, as the price of their product skyrockets due to Government
A carbon tax would raise the price of fossil fuels, with more taxes collected on fuels that generate more emissions, like coal. This tax would reduce demand for high-carbon emission fuels and increase demand for lower-emisson fuels like natural gas. Renewable sources like solar, wind, nuclear and hydroelectric would face lower taxes or no taxes. To be effective, the tax should also be applied to imported goods from countries that do not assess a similar levy on the use of fossil fuels.
Revenue generated by carbon taxes could be used for a variety of purposes. A lot of the money should surely be given to households, especially the poorest, through tax credits or direct payments to offset the higher prices they would have to pay for gasoline, electricity and other goods and services because of the tax. Some of the money could be used to invest in renewable energy and public transportation, or to lower other taxes.
Even the NY Times EB admits that this will skyrocket the cost of living, which will hurt the poor and middle class, unlike the uber-rich folks on the NY Times Editorial Board. If they think that money will be returned in the form of tax credits or direct payments, they haven’t been paying attention to Government. Furthermore, even if some is, there is no possible way that the money would even approach what the increased costs would be. This increases the size and power of Government, and all for little to no gain. Carbon markets have failed around the world, including in California. The Left leaning governments in Australia were summarily booted out over their passing of a carbon tax. Most nations are moving away from these failures. And Warmists mostly refuse to give up their own fossil fuels addictions.
