Should we introduce a European tax on carbon in order to fight against global warming?

Question

Global warming is affecting our environment. This is a worldwide problem. Some argue that a tax on carbon, the main greenhouse gas, would be the most effective measure, and that it should be taken at the level of the EU to be effective. Others argue that this will damage our industries' competitiveness and that national governments should see what's best suited to their national economy.

What do you think?

Answer 1

no taxes

Answer 2

I think people are overly concerning themselves with taxes and not thinking of sane methods to promote less use of cars and planes.

We live in the Internet Age, where most anything can be done via the Internet, from basic transfer of information to video conference calling etc. etc. If the available technology was actually used to its full, imagine just how many cars could be taken off the roads in the morning. Reducing the use of cars and planes by sane methodology is the way forward ... merely threatening a tax will only force more to pay more tax, it will not actually help the actually situation as it does nothing to instill sane rational method to reduce carbon use-age.

Slightly off-question, if tenuously linked ... Nobody external to their own ELECTED government has the right to impose taxes on those who did not vote for them. We have our Government, we vote for them ... until we as the British public are given the chance to vote for or against the EU (and effectively give away our rule/or not to Brussels) then I am of the firm belief that the EU should stop poking their noses into our business.

Answer 3

Yes more taxes. We really need more taxes.

And EU taxes too. Yes, we really need more interference from the EU in our lives. We really appreciate it.

*hope you can smell the sarcasm*

The politicians would end up paying the largest taxes of the lot as the amount of hot air they expel is stupendous.

What next? A tax on methane? Sales of baked beans would plummet! Maybe the large herbivorous mammals such as cows should be paying tax as they emit more greenhouse gasses than human do. Call it the Cow-fart tax!

I agree that its up to the individual countries to decide what is best for them and for the record I do not entirely beleive that "gobal warming" is a man made phenomenon. The world has been heating up and cooling down for millions of years. Naturally.

Answer 4

Don't forget Hydrogen DiOxide's in Fahhts too ! And Farts are the ONLY things left in Naww Yawwk Fascist State that haven't been TAXED yet ! Wait ! Apparently, ALL the smelly, repugnant, poisonous, ' gagg a maggot' Hydrogen DiOxide has come alive ! The foul gas has taken on human forms ! " Flatunoids"cc !! Living, breathing and exhaling, an even MORE revulsive, vile fume : The freedom-suffocating stink of "Fascist Demogogucrat Mono-Party Naww Yawwk Ciddy Tammany Hallesque-Boss Tweedberg Politicians"cc !!! The horror ! The STINK!!!! Turning the State Capitol, Albany, into....." TALIBANY" cc: The "@$$ GASS Crapitol"cc ; Empire State of the "@$$ GASS TAX "cc Oh-hh, how far have we sunk !? The Sulfurous Depths ..... "Toilet Bowl Warriors"cc, that they be ! "Fascist Demogogucrat Mono-Party Flatunoid Politicians" cc - The horror that awaits... Quick ! Someone light up Freedoms' giant scented candle ! Dispel the poison of Global Fascism through deceit - There is still time !! The smell of Politicians Hot-Air is responsible for GW !

Answer 5

Taxes on carbon seem to be a last gasp measure, and they aren't working. What else is there?

Carbon trading certainly doesn't as richer nations just trade their points with less well off nations. It's like Bill Gates stealing the last bowl of millet from a starving African.

Others are still disputing the existence of global warming. I learnt this summer that David Bellamy is a critic!

Industry, especially aviation, is the greatest contributor to global warming. Those Heathrow protestors did have a point after all in August! It would be better to sort out our rail network instead of encouraging everyone to fly. But a fly tax would be passed onto passengers...

I don't have the answer and perhaps it is up to other people to answer this. I do try my best by having energy saving lightbulbs and not flying, but that's all I can do.

Please note, all contributors - I answered this without attacking the EU. Whatever your opinions may be of the EU, answer the question - don't use this as a soapbox to post your Eurosceptic opinions. Thanks.

Answer 6

A carbon tax would be a reasonably effective measure, but better yet would be a carbon cap and trade system. This would allow the EU to put a limit on the total greenhouse gases emitted by industry while giving them some leeway to trade for more credits if necessary.

It's difficult to determine how much a carbon tax would decrease emissions in reality, and clearly it engenders many negative sentiments, but a cap and trade system is much easier to control and likely more popular among the masses.

Answer 7

Alternatives to our current fossil fuels may actually be cheaper in the long run for us (usa). Our gov't currently subsidizes much of the production and security costs of the fossil fuel industry, thus begetting an artificially low price. If we were to end those subsidies and enact a carbon tax, this could foster renewable energy prices, through demand, investment and technological advances, to be lower than fossil fuel costs.

In addition, as other economies begin to develop (China and India) the demand for fossil fuels will increase and further increase their prices for everyone.

An investment in renewable/alternative energy may have an initial higher cost, but in the long run will be economically beneficial to the us. And there lies the problem; politicians never want to embark on a program whose benfits will be reaped by their successor. Only if the benefits will help their career, would they be willing to tackle such an issue.

Answer 8

It is funny how people have a blind spot when it comes to money and taxes in particular often make people see red as evidenced by the majority of previous respondents. It is a case of tax somebody else by all means (imports from high carbon emitting countries although I expect this may not be popular also when the result is increased prices in the shops). The fact of the matter is that all communities the world over should be mindful of climate change and to me a tax on carbon Europe wide is necessary. It may just not be politically feasible though. Unfortunately we are likely to go on not doing as much as we should be doing towards protecting our planet.

Answer 9

The European Union has overstepped it's legal bounds. If the EU contuines on the current path it has been then countries will move to regain thier soverginty in all matters and withdraw from the EU.

Answer 10

Global warming is a global problem. If EU take action and USA, China and India just carry on as before, where is the sense?

It would be a great way to damage EU competiveness unless there is joint action.

Answer 11

I think the EU has far too much to say in the running of this Country and the politicians are selling us out again. In other wowrds. No a thousand times no!