- http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/business/a-carbon-tax-that-america-could-live-with.html?ref=earth
- Category of Problem/Issue identified in article:Environment
- Level of problem/issue: National Level.
- State whether the article is concerning one of the following: A potential policy that is being considered to help a problem/issue that individuals/families face
- Why this is important to individuals/families OR How does this affect individuals/families: Well we all contribute carbon emission and as a society we need to be aware why we are being possibly taxed for the way we live.
- What are your views on the issue/policy: This is a hard policy to say if I am for it or against it. On one side you have the environment in which we live in and have the responsibility to preserve it for our future generations to come and on the other side you have the fast paced life of work, school, and other factors that have become the norm in our lifestyles due to our advanced society. So how can we stop the carbon emissions? Is there any possible way? And if so, would the average American be able to afford what ever product they invent? It is all come down to the fact that it will cost money no matter which way you view it. By taxing the carbon emissions you let out, we will either budget ourselves and change our lifestyle or just spend more money on living our lifestyle without disruption of change. I think it is looking more on the good side than bad, either way we look at it we need to limit the emissions no matter what, this approach just seems to be the more reasonable one. The problem now is where will this tax money be used for? Depending on which party it relies on, but it would be great that our tax money to limit carbon emissions would go to.. I don't know.. THE ENVIRONMENT! Hopefully these politicians don't get even more greedy and give back to mother earth. This policy is being still handled within the House to become actual law.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
A Carbon Tax That America Could Live With
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I agree with the initiative to lower carbon emissions, and increase the quality of our atmosphere. We only have one planet, and we need to begin securing the future health of our planet. I believe individuals do not know how to begin, and continue to, make a difference through daily routines. The cars we drive, the products we consume and the laws we allow to be enforced contribute greatly to the destruction of our planet. I feel the most efficient and the quickest remedy comes from legislation. Funding for air quality projects needs to come from the individuals who create the problems, humans. We should be required to pay for the services we use, and the complications they create. The article suggested three solution routes to fix carbon emissions: Tax products that emit carbon pollution, persuade citizens to care about the environment more, and government regulation on products that may emit carbon pollution.
ReplyDeleteTaxes should not be a long -term solution. As carbon emissions continue to increase, taxes will increase. Other solutions need to be implemented in order to not rely on taxes to change the air quality. The article mentions ways to reduce individual carbon emissions. Some of the solutions can be implemented by most people. However, others ideas assume that individuals can afford to purchase new technology that will lower carbon emissions.
Not all citizens contribute the same amount of carbon emissions. And, not all citizens should be required equal amount of taxes. A solution needs to be considered for the populations who ride public transportation, drive hybrid cars, and who buy locally grown food. Tax breaks encourage good behavior in this situation. More people would purchase locally grown food if it were cheaper, for example. The article suggests charging taxes on products that contribute to global warming. And, I agree. Perhaps consumers wont purchase these products after having to pay more money for them. If demand for carbon emitting products goes down, we can replace them with environment-friendly versions.
Unfortunately, it takes money to save money. Those who can afford to put solar power panels on their house save money in electricity. How many citizens can afford to put solar power panels on their home? Through brief research on the internet, I found that average cost of solar panels for an average sized home is 22,000$. Also, hybrid cars cost more than normal fuel- guzzling cars. How can we expect a huge change in carbon emissions if we can’t afford the change?
Taxes suck, period. But, taxes are the price we pay to ensure our quality of life. And, quality of life depends greatly on our quality of air. In the short run, I agree with charging for carbon emissions, based on the amount you contribute. If this tax goes through I hope that those who ride public transportation vehicles, or drive hybrid cars do get a break from these charges. In the long run, I’d like to see initiatives made to fund programs that help all citizens reduce carbon emissions, regardless of how much they contribute. If we make the environment a priority then change will follow.