“Cap and trade” is an approach to reducing greenhouse gasses, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), wherein the total amount released is capped and industries are allowed to trade the right to release them. If a company can reduce CO2 emissions, it can sell a carbon credit to another company to allow it to release more CO2. The idea is to assign a cost to releasing CO2 and impose marketplace discipline to reduce release. It may work, but why limit this to industry? Why should Exxon-Mobile and other massive polluters inherit a windfall of carbon credits that practically rewards them for their past misdeeds and inaction?
Shouldn't every human being have a certain carbon credit? We should credit commuters who take mass transit or walk or bike instead of driving to work. We should credit individuals whose carbon footprint is tiny. A Bangladeshi whose carbon footprint is nonexistent should have the credit to lend or sell to industrial polluters.
If you cap me, do I not breath? If you trade me, do I not drive? Carbon-based units unite! You have nothing to lose but your breath!
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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