By Daryl on 8/15/2008 12:46 PM

While the title of this post seems adversarial the content actually postulates that the moving of people is equivalent to the moving of products, where the people are so must the products go. I think far too often in the "Great Climate Debate" we lose sight of real issues regarding infrastructure and its uses and focus on the individual rather than the systems that work to provide the standards of living that we either enjoy or inspire to enjoy. One such example is the debate over "walkable communities" or urban planning that places all the things people need into a neighbourhood that is optimized for people with little or no support for moving products and services to th ... Read More »

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By Daryl on 8/13/2008 1:43 PM

By Daryl on 8/12/2008 8:48 AM

Ok I have stated my position and opinions on a price on carbon in the past, but today I will attempt to put the issue into a much simpler context that perhaps even a politician can understand. Economists use all kind of elaborate models and formulas to judge the impacts of fiscal policy on the economy, I will instead use a simplified one dollar example to illustrate my points. By applying the KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) methodology I hope I can successfully communicate my opinions on why putting a price on carbon in the form of a consumption tax on fossil fuels based on the "revenue neutral" model just does not work.

We can all Appreciate a Buck

The concept of the "revenue neutral" taxation system means different things to different people, in the broader sense it is when every dollar that is co ... Read More »

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By Daryl on 7/29/2008 7:26 AM

In my previous post I looked at why I believe the eco-economists are flawed in the logic behind attaching a price to carbon and what will be the outcome of applying an all stick no carrot approach to tackling the issue. They say reducing GHG emissions is the carrot and you will pay less when you produce less, when actually all you are doing is reducing the size of the stick and replacing it with either a weight on the economy or a ceiling on economic growth. I will now discuss real incentives that could work to encourage a less GHG producing economy and provide real positive inputs to all industries, my approach looks at a pro-growth solution driven framework with real economic benefits for participants and for society as a whole. Grand statement to be sure but not so much more than the talk of the new "Green Economy" that is used to justify government actions and that will off-set the impacts of carbon pri ... Read More »

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By Daryl on 7/20/2008 11:40 AM

The "consensus" view du jour is that some sort of price on carbon is the silver bullet for tackling climate change and is embraced by eco-economists and environmentalists alike. I use the term eco-economists to describe the small but vocal group of economists that subscribe to the Stern Report findings, which has become the benchmark study just like the IPCC reports in regards to Global Warming, the "consensus" as it were. I say it is regressive policy and does not accomplish its sole stated purpose in either a Cap and Trade or Carbon Tax iterations. I am going to assume for a minute the ultimate goal is the reduction of CO2 emissions while maintaining a strong and at the least a stable economy. I believe that GHG emissions will reduce but not for the reasons assumed by the general public.

I will look at actual business level response to a price on carbon and the effect on the economy t ... Read More »

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By Daryl on 7/14/2008 6:16 AM

The LiveSmart BC television ads have started running here in British Columbia, Canada to explain how the Carbon Tax is your buddy, your pal your lifelong friend. The ads clearly state you can save taxes by buying things you would not normally buy and by buying less of what you have to buy. I think that the Government had to pay a marketing and advertising firm a pretty nice chunk of change to come up with that one, just one more example of your carbon tax dollars hard at work for you.

Lets take a look at the two main points; no tax on things you did not have any intention or budget to purchase in the first place and that by buying less gasoline and natural gas you will save money on taxes.

Energy costs are up almost 40% overall and taking money out of your pocket each month, for hot water, heating, driving to work and out to g ... Read More »

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By Daryl on 7/5/2008 4:50 AM

I have stated that Bio-Fuels were a large cause of rising food prices based on the extensive adoption of the content standard in the European Union, US and Canada. Once again I love reading about when others share my views, even if they were not published. An economist at the World Bank apparently agrees with me and a report that was buried has been shown the light of day. Read the News report...

Bio-Fuels Report Leaked - World Bank

I have stated how demand for feedstock for the Industry was causing the biofuel refiners, pockets chock full of tax money in the form of sub ... Read More »

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By Daryl on 7/3/2008 6:19 AM

I was sitting here thinking as I often do early in the morning. Why would a Government implement a carbon tax at this time of high energy prices? Then it hit me, assured success! It is like betting on a horse in the third turn, the results you want are happening so you hitch your cart to the leader. Energy prices are doing what a carbon tax is hypothesized to do, reduce consumption of fossil fuels. The market is doing it free of charge and the Government did not have to do anything, so they tack on their tax, when consumption falls and business and income taxes go up (revenue neutral taxation boys) they claim victory and say did you not read the fine print in the budget?

Sometimes the Government surprises even me with their deviousness.

By Daryl on 6/30/2008 5:55 AM

Today is the last day of life without a Carbon Tax here in British Columbia, it should be a record gas sales day for service stations. The future is very uncertain, but if my reaction to prices during my grocery shopping trip on the weekend ( Where I nearly fainted at the specialty bread aisle where one loaf was $6.50 ) , it is none to bright. It seems we have the perfect storm of global conditions set to drag down even the strongest economies. To this our green leaders have choosen to add an additional burden in the name of climate change, to help us change our habits they say. We shall see.

It will be an interesting year as the Federal Liberal Party attempts to get elected using the Carbon Tax policies of British Columbia, I will predict an election in the fall after a summer of greenwashing "The Green Shift". I will also predict the Liberals will hand the Conservatives the Majority Government. This is bad strategy cornerstoned by a bad plan ... Read More »

By Daryl on 6/17/2008 4:08 AM

The venerable organization Greenpeace ( well in environmental movement terms it is old ) recently sent John Sauven for a chat with Steven Sackur on BBC's HardTalk. It seems that Greenpeace is trying to re-brand itself as the solar worshippers for an new millennia. It is all about the sun! I will ask you to watch the Interview and then I will point out some problems with this environmental expert's "vision" of the world and critiques of society.

HardTalk - Interview

Mr Sauven in his opening statements claims that "if we could capture all the energy from the sun for 70 minutes we could power the world." Done for effect and to make his point that we are "awash" with energy, ... Read More »

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