Carbon Tax: A Solution?

Some jurisdictions in North America have carbon taxes applied to carbon emissions emitted by industry. In February 2008, BC became the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a carbon tax directed at consumers. BC's carbon tax, according to the provincial government it will be the most comprehensive in the world.

While the public reacted when the tax was applied, the stronger reaction came from the economic effect felt when filling our cars (trucks) gas tank was hitting unprecedented levels. It seemingly didn't take long until people came to accept the $1.50 a litre gas prices. Carbon tax is presently 2 cents a litre -- amounting to a dollar or two per fill depending on the size of your gas tank.

BC's Carbon tax applies to all fossil fuels, including gasoline, propane, diesel, natural gas, and home heating fuel and will generate over a billion dollars to fight climate change while the remaining money generated by the carbon tax will be redistributed to other government initiatives.

Carbon Taxes on an international basis have been proposed as income neutral. Meaning that the money generated is effectively a redistribution of money. The European Union considered a carbon tax in 2005. The UK introduced carbon taxes putting a price on carbon emissions, aimed at reducing the cost to government associated with supporting programs to counteract the consequences of greenhouse gases and to support programs aimed at developing more efficient technology.

It is a little difficult to see how carbon tax will encourage a change of habits. If you drive a Prius the new tax will cost you about $20 per year. If you Drive a Dodge Ram pickup truck the tax will cost you nearer to $68, the government says. Starting at 2 cents a litre, the tax will increase every year until 2012, when it reaches 7.2 cents per litre at the pumps.

In June the BC government sent a $100 cheque out to all British Columbian adults and $30 per child. Corporate and person income tax rates will also drop to keep the tax revenue neutral. If the tax is returned to businesses and individuals, as promised, it seems like a lot of accounting merely moving money around, and perhaps not being the incentive necessary to induce public awareness of the greenhouse gas problems, or in any way effectively reducing carbon emissions.

If change is going to occur, it often occurs when grassroots efforts help push change. The goal of this website is to help bring together people who are interested in saving our environment and making it easier to do the right thing - to protect our environment, from mankind's effects on habitat, global warming and our environment.