An economy-wide carbon tax is needed to reduce the cost of decarbonisation and level the playing field for the UK’s heavy industry, according to a new report from think-tank Policy Exchange. The study suggests that a tax paid by companies that sell fossil fuel would fund a dividend to be paid to taxpayers and help to prevent carbon leakage, which refers to a situation where businesses transfer production to other countries with laxer emission constraints. Such a tax should be structured around border so that companies which export carbon-intensive products into the UK are subject to the same level of carbon tax as domestic producers, it adds, helping industries such as the British steel sector.
Edie 17th July 2018 read more »
James Hansen frequently points out that we can only beat climate change by including nuclear technology. He wastes no time in arguing for a focus on renewables in the transition away from fossil fuels. In his piece, he states: ‘tricking the public to accept the fantasy of 100 per cent renewables means that, in reality, fossil fuels reign and climate change grows’. He continued to argue, that next-generation safe nuclear power is the principle alternative to fossil fuel electricity. Climate activists, and in general everyone concerned with action on climate change, have attacked the people denying the science of climate change, and the delay caused as these opinions have filtered into politics and business decisions. Of course, I also find the opinions of climate deniers despicable and disgraceful and think their ideas can be compared to flat-earthers. But it is crucial that, if you position yourself on the side of science, you must be true to it and not back away if its findings are at odds with your personal beliefs. In other words, you can’t pick-and-mix the science you like to agree with. If you do so, you’re just as bad as those who choose not to agree with the science of climate change. If the science says that nuclear power is needed to stave off climate change, then regardless of your own view on nuclear energy you must support it.
A Greener Life 9th July 2018 read more »
