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A climate change policy that would work
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I've mentioned before that I support President Obama's energy policy, which seems proportionate and well-directed. But an energy plan is not a climate plan, and after spending the past two weeks saying what I didn't like about everybody else's climate strategy, it's only fair to put forward my own plan for others to criticise.
This will probably sound controversial, so don't be shy in criticising--I can take it.
1. We are still increasing our emissions of CO2, which probably contributes a fair bit towards the global warming we saw through 2002. It has happily leveled off, but the issue may return. Because addressing CO2 emissions also addresses other important environmental issues, we should not ignore it. However, as CO2 emissions are a global problem (although the US has long been the largest emitter of CO2), we should direct our first efforts at improving the lot and reducing the emissions of the poorest third of the planet. 2 billion people burn wood and animal dung because they don't have access to electricity.
It would actually reduce the same--or more--emissions of CO2 to bring electricity to these people than to convert our coal stations to natural gas, nuclear, wind or solar. It would also save countless lives. The way the poorest heat their homes and cook their meals kills more of them than malaria. We should continue to clean up our energy generating plants through regulations and investment in cleaner technology. But we should commit the lion's share of resources to bringing light and heat to the poorest on the planet.
2. We should press forward with a cap and trade on energy emissions--this is one way of forcing industry to invest and innovate. It will not be perfect, and it will be slow to get started. So we should supplement it with a small carbon tax of $2 per ton, which will be a fixed rate for ten years. All revenue will be rebated to consumers and small business users.
3. Although government has a poor record at picking technology winners, it has an excellent record at building the infrastructure that the winners can use, such as the Internet, the national highways, etc. NASA should commit to building a launch infrastructure that can be used for space based solar power satellites. This will be one part of government's investment in alternative generating technologies.
4. A top-level review of land-use policies should take place, and tax policies should be implemented immediately to reduce the worst cases of land use, such as growing cotton in the California deserts. A federal water policy should create and regulate an interstate market for water with the express goal of restoring aquifers and insuring water stability for a growing population.
How's that for a start? What else should I cover?
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- thomaswfuller3 at gmail dot com
