Lord Smith of Finsbury believes that implementing individual carbon allowances for every person will be the most effective way of meeting the targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
It would involve people being issued with a unique number which they would hand over when purchasing products that contribute to their carbon footprint, such as fuel, airline tickets and electricity.
Like with a bank account, a statement would be sent out each month to help people keep track of what they are using. If their “carbon account” hits zero, they would have to pay to get more credits.
Dallas noted: “For instance, excessively polluting the environment by hauling your fat ass to the mall on a Hummer should not be free.”
It isn’t free. The fat ass must pay more for larger clothing, more groceries, and higher health care bills. The Hummer requires fill-ups every 3 miles or so.
That individual does pay more, in every way, already.
I don’t think you mean that, though. I think you want to see the fat ass be punished in some manner for co-existing with you. Is that it?
#20 – why not? It’s called freedom to actually live a good life.
What the ecotards are really saying is “we think X is going to ruin you life, so to prevent that, we will go ahead and ruin your life ourselves.”
If you look at any “carbon footprint calculator” with an unbiased eye, you will realize it’s really a quality of live calculator.
#20 Asshead, I have nothing against “good life” living. In fact, I enjoy lots of ‘toys’ that our society says we need to live the good life and I like your calculator example.
The point is (which you discount)is shitting inside our little shared air bubble we call earth is also worth considering.
I’m sure we can both shit in here for decades until we are dead, but somehow I have a moral obligation to future generations. I say, we put limits as to what passes for reason. Note we can’t dump toxic pollutants into our rivers even though that IPOD you have makes you look hip. It’s a good tradeoff, no?
#23 – I agree there are things you have to pay attention to, however without urban sprawl and SUVs there is no life. Cities are no place to live and mass transit is for cattle.
(No iPod here, I despise Apple for many reasons.
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Britain never really got past rationing. This is just another extension of that weak mindset that continues to have the best and brightest leave, and get backfilled with entitlement junkies and Jihadists.
It’s basically a theme park now, and as they crank up the carbon tax penalties they’ll kill tourism which was their last external revenue source.
Why don’t wasteful government entities start WITH CONTROLLING their OWN carbon emissions?
You know … lead by example, accountability, etc.
I bet the governments of most countries waste on par with their entire citizenry.