The Australian Commonwealth Govt is working on what they call an 'Emmisions Trading Scheme' I don't yet know how they propose to gain anything from this scheme except higher prices for just about every commodity there is.1
My information is rather sketchy about all this, but past experience has shown that the logical solution to any problem will be ignored unless the big end of the business world can make a profit somewhere along the line. I know we live in a cash oriented society, but with the fate of the whole world in the balance, so I heard on the radio, wouldn't it be to the advantage of the big business moguls to try to ensure that there will always be a world? Then they can set about making their profits from the people who are still on the planet.2
The proposal as I understand it at this moment is to sell licenses to all those who are emitting pollutants at a cost per ton of emissions. Then subsidise those who are caught up in the consequental price increases. As the emissions are reduced so is the cost of the licenses. Target is reduced rate of emission. However, if the power generators, factories etc are allowed to offset the cost of the license they are required to obtain, where is the incentive to reduce pollutants like carbon etc?3
Consider a big company, any company which would need a license. The Govt estimates how much pollution this Company is emmitting and charges $X for the license. Company accountants factor in the extra cost and increases the price of the company's product to keep profits as high as possible. What happens then? Is the Govt going to fine them for raising their prices? Or maybe the Company will relocate to some poorer country and still pour out the pollutants. The introduction of any kind of scheme like that indicated by the Aussie Govt is like opening Pandoras Box.4
As another sally into unproven territory, where can an ordinary person find out exactly what our scientists discovered in the atmosphere,and in what quantities? THAT IS: WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE FROM INTERESTED BUSINESSES>5
I have had a serious problem with all of this bumff right from the outset. I think that 3% carbon in the atmosphere would be less of a Global Warming danger than 65% water vapour. I'm sure this planet has warmed up long before our so called experts were here to measure anything, let alone the atmosphere way up there.6
Isn't climate change a normal state of mother nature doing her stuff and managing the planet in spite of what we humans may or may not do? We have had ice ages, little ice ages etc, why not warming?7
We assume that our scientific experts have got it right, but - What if they do not have it right? Is all this stuff we here on the radio just propaganda to soften us ordinary people up so we won't complain too loudly when we are forced to pay higher prices for everything?8
I'm afraid that I am a skeptic as far as 'Emissions Trading Schemes' are concerned. It seems more likely that the big moneyed companies have found another way to make a profit from the ordinary citizen. No one, expert or otherwise has been able to show positive PROOF that human generated pollution is doing anything to the climate at all. It's all assumptions and computer models. I know that computer models will tell you whatever you want them to, just give the computer the right data to start with.9
In conclusion I ask: WHEN ARE THE WORLD'S WORKERS GOING TO BE TOLD THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?10
Its a hard life for workers, anywhere in the world.
Comments
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A well exercised point here, Bob. I don't know what other think, but personally, like you said, it is nature doing her thing and has been doing it since time immortal. Global warming is not something that just popped up - It is natures way of rejuvinating itself. What is happening which is manmade problem, is the affect our taking all the goodies out of natures soil. This has more impact on our planet. Well, i really enjoyed your read and i would reckon a lot of people could go a long with you. Tops!
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Occasionally I get a bee in my bonnet about something and I have to say something. This is one of those times. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
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Interesting
Well-written. I work for the Commonwealth Environment Department, and while I don't have a direct responsibility for the ETS, as a lawyer there is a fair chance I'll be looking at draft legislation at some point, so this is a topic of interest for me.
Alan
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A Modest Query
And...a most perceptive, if unanswerable, one at that. The "big" boys are always coming up with "modest" and "clever" solutions...which, as Bob points out, all point us (those left on this planet so far) inevitably, South! (That is...in the wrong, hell-bent, direction.)It seems big business and big government are set up in such a way as to always come out the winners. All roads lead in their direction. Unfortunately, for us, that direction is (no offense) south! On the other hand, it is an ill wind that doesn't blow some good. In the case of soaring gasoline costs here in the States,(partially, incidentally, because of some strict emmissions standards) people are using their automobiles less frequently (bad for some auto addicts)...and giving up their cars altogether. Result: Less traffic...less congestion...open roads! (Not THAT clear...but better than before.) People don't quite see this boon yet...and are clamoring for more drilling at home, more fuel-efficient cars, etc. BUT...the "powers" see it. Those who nearly instituted policies of "congestion pricing"...(where a driver would have to PAY to enter or leave his or her OWN city!) see it! And THEY...(for the time being, anyway) are content to leave the high gas prices right where they are...(at least through hurricane season...where single roads leading from, say, the Florida Keys to Miami...for nearly 100 miles, becomes an evacuation problem).
Anyway, for the time being, let them scheme, I say...either things will work themselves out...or they won't. In either case...WE...the little guys...can't do too much about it...nor can we foresee all the "ill-wind" ramifications resulting.
Or...we can consult John Swift...see what HE thinks we ought do!
GA
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Another thing I noticed; An advert which reads:-
Carbon Credit Trading
The worlds next biggest market-How to profit early.
WWW GreenChipStocks.com/cart
Surprise - surprise! -
First I must apologise for being late in replying. You too percieve that there is nothing we can do to alter things in the financial and political worlds. We just wear the consequences and pay the bill as best we can. I thank you for your comments. I am thinking of sending this piece to the Financial times, and the Australian. Two newspapers used by the big end of town and see what happens. Maybe the dailies would reach more readers. Thanks again.
Cheers.
Bob
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Yeah! Commensense at last! I hope you are going to follow through with further reports.
I also wonder if it is all a 'put up' job, a con. What if it is? How do we find the truth?
I'd like to see some discussion on this.
Lis.
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So would I like to see some discussion. The more open it is to everyone, the better. Thank you Lis, for suggesting discussion.
Love
Bob
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