States initiative on Greenhouse Gasses
The state governments are preparing a discussion paper with the aim to introduce a national scheme of Greenhouse Gas capping and trading.
Under the scheme, businesses will have an allocated quota of Greenhouse emmissions. Hefty fines will apply if companies exceed their quota. Spare credits, for underpoluting companies can be traded on the free market.
I think this makes sense - it used the free economy to control greenhouse emissions. It makes greenhouse pollution a "scare resource" and lets the market take care of the rest.
The Federal Government has come out saying that it will cripple the economy and costs jobs. This is based on some recommendations from an organisation that looks at the economics of the greenhouse problem. They quote statistics such as if we try and 1/2 greenhouse emissions by 2050, we will send electricity bills 6x their current rate.
Unfortunately, this organisation (the name eludes me, but it is an acronym), allows companies to "donate" their way onto the board. Primary board members include Texaco, MobileExxon, Rio Tinto and Australian Coal. Hrm... i wonder if these results might just be a little tainted.
Nonetheless, the Government doesn't want to do anything to tackle the Greenhouse problem. They are willing to let future generations pay the health and lifestyle cost so that they can continue their massive budget surplusses. The "conservative" side of Government is incapable of showing real leadership (I mean long term planning, not simply hard-headedness). This attitude keeps Australia from investing properly in its future, because future investment doesn't reap rewards today. And therefore, not at the ballot box.
Under the scheme, businesses will have an allocated quota of Greenhouse emmissions. Hefty fines will apply if companies exceed their quota. Spare credits, for underpoluting companies can be traded on the free market.
I think this makes sense - it used the free economy to control greenhouse emissions. It makes greenhouse pollution a "scare resource" and lets the market take care of the rest.
The Federal Government has come out saying that it will cripple the economy and costs jobs. This is based on some recommendations from an organisation that looks at the economics of the greenhouse problem. They quote statistics such as if we try and 1/2 greenhouse emissions by 2050, we will send electricity bills 6x their current rate.
Unfortunately, this organisation (the name eludes me, but it is an acronym), allows companies to "donate" their way onto the board. Primary board members include Texaco, MobileExxon, Rio Tinto and Australian Coal. Hrm... i wonder if these results might just be a little tainted.
Nonetheless, the Government doesn't want to do anything to tackle the Greenhouse problem. They are willing to let future generations pay the health and lifestyle cost so that they can continue their massive budget surplusses. The "conservative" side of Government is incapable of showing real leadership (I mean long term planning, not simply hard-headedness). This attitude keeps Australia from investing properly in its future, because future investment doesn't reap rewards today. And therefore, not at the ballot box.
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