Thread: Carbon tax?

While it would be an exaggeration for me to say that I find the concept of carbon taxes fascinating, I do find the concept interesting.

Some believe that implementation of a multi-level global carbon tax would provide a tax base for funding "globalization", etc. My purpose of this thread is not to debate whether that's hogwash or not.

Instead, my interest lies in the CONCEPT of carbon taxes and the level of extremity such taxes could theoretically create. Animals/humans are carbon based life forms that expel carbon dioxide. I've heard proponents of carbon taxing would want to tax farmers on a per cow basis as well as other livestock. I would certainly assume each and every human would be taxed for breathing (seriously).

For those of us that own some amount of ground for planting trees or could fill their dwellings with plants, which would give off oxygen to supplant our carbon dioxide production, you would think that planting a measurable amount of vegetation enough to cancel out the carbon dioxide production would exempt that individual or group from carbon taxation? If I could plant whatever number of trees would be necessary to create the same amount of oxygen that I create in carbon dioxide, I would assume I could tell the carbon taxers to kiss it?

What do others think of global carbon taxing or what have you read or heard about ideas that have been brought forth by proponents of this type of tax? Granted, carbon dioxide is created in industry and in fossil fuel emissions, but I do find it curiously interesting that if taken to the extreme, carbon taxing would also essentially tax someone's very existence/life.

Chris L

I personally think it sets a dangerous precedent which if seen all the way through will do nothing but keep us in "shackles" through taxes by our governments.

Can you elaborate, Mark? I also agree that the concept has slippery slope written all over it, but any details on your concern would be appreciated.

I can elaborate a bit more from my perspective as well. Firstly, my intent of this post was also not to start a debate on whether "global warming" is a planetary trend that is driven primarily by human activity or is something that may occur regardless of human activity. I give people permission to go "off topic" and debate this if desired. However, I am still skeptical about whether global warming is occurring as a result of human activity. If it isn't, then carbon taxes are a very scary and very bogus concept IMO.


Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Can you elaborate, Mark? I also agree that the concept has slippery slope written all over it, but any details on your concern would be appreciated.

Chris L

I promise to if I can remember Right now I have to go to work and make some carbon!

Watch the "Obama Deception" has some rather interesting theories on the Carbon Tax and global warming in general...

You can find it all over google and u-tube

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Watch the "Obama Deception" has some rather interesting theories on the Carbon Tax and global warming in general...

You can find it all over google and u-tube

Maybe that's where I heard about Jupiter and Saturn showing measurable increases in surface temps as is Earth which would indicate at least in part or maybe even in whole that our planet's surface temp is increasing due to the sun rather than how we behave? Or maybe not. I read/watch/listen to too much stuff!

I wish that documentary was titled something other than the Obama Deception; I think that was a poor title choice because it leads people to believe it's a targeted piece against the man and his administration, when in fact, I didn't find it to be that way at all. I digress, but it's my post, so....

Chris L

I believe we are on the cusp of implementing a Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme here in Australia - I think it is slated for arrival in 2010.

I have not been following the details, but I think despite the name it is in essence a carbon tax. The main debate here has been that a domestic implementation of such a scheme will make us uncompetetive in a global economy where the majority of producers do not have such a scheme.

The Commonwealth of Australia commissioned Professor Ross Garnaut to review Global Climate Change and provide recommendations in 2007. Garnaut is a Professor of Economics at the Australian National University (or was when I was there), but I believe he has recently taken up a position at Melbourne University.

It is my understanding that the Australian Government will be implementing Garnaut's recommendations in some form. If you are interested in taking a look, the whole review can be found here.

James.

Not busting on my buddy Jimbo Roo as they are not his words but anothers...

"Global Climate Change" -vs- "Global Warming"

You do notice the subtle difference in wording here right???? This was started after record cold temperatures were set in the last few years world wide...

Are you getting the hint that I really dont believe the whole Carbon is killing the planet thing?????

If you think a carbon tax is anything other than an abstract concept designed to manipulate behaviour and take money off people then maybe you've been inhaling too much of your own carbon emissions? Green campaigners have no interest in a fair or meaningful tax, they just want to force change, and they see a financial stick as the best way to beat us into submission.

Let me make a comparison. Here in the UK motorists pay an insane amount of tax on fuel. Only a tiny fraction of that tax goes towards maintaining roads. So how is this obscene tax justified? "Ah," the green campaigners will say, "it covers the cost of damage to the environment." Think about that for a moment. "It covers the cost." What does that mean? Is that money spent on repairing the environment? Can they give a financial breakdown? Can we see receipts?

Of course not, it's just revenue for the government. It's all a big con.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Are you getting the hint that I really dont believe the whole Carbon is killing the planet thing?????

Can I be on your team, Glen? Ditto.

Chris L