What solutions would you like to put in place to restrict the emission of greenhouse gases?

Question

personally

Answer 1

Personally, I prefer to minimize restrictions.  But to at lest some extent, they're going to be necessary.

However, I think there's a way in which these could be minimized--though I suspect it is entirely too logical to have a chance of being used.

Here it is: First, do the necessary research to determin the actual details of the situation I'll describe (that's a radical notion these days--get the gfacts FIRST).  The existing policy structure on energy in the US (and elsewhere, but htat's not our problem--we can only lead by example and economic/diplomatic influence) is built around facilitating fossil fuel use.  In other words, policy, funding, andlaw are geared to serve the interests of the oil, coal, and natural gas industries.

Here's the "restriction:" strip that protection away and institute careful oversigt to prevent those companies that are unethical (notallof them, surprisingly) from exerting undue influence on potential competitors.

Also strip tax breaks, subsidies, etc.  Instead gear such toward only  emmissions-free technologies.

Then stand back and let thechonological innovation and entrepreneurs solve the problem for us.

I'm not being Pollyana.  The point is that in a market competition between alternative and traditional technologies the playing field isn't level--its tilted heavily in favor of fossil fuels.  Just level the playing field.

Why is that enough?  Because at this point, several alternative technologies--notably wind and ESPECIALLY solar--are already cost-competitive technologies--and the cost is dropping like a stone.  There are still problems to be dealt with (90% of which can be summed up in one sentance: We need a cost-effictive way of storing powr for later use.  But that too, is not too far in the future).

And within ten years, these alternatives willl be so cheap--compared to fossil fuels--that if the market is really "free"--a level playing field--no one will want the oil or coal or natural gas.

Answer 2

outlaw forest fires and volcanic activity.  do your part and hope people will do the same.

Answer 3

I think a carbon tax would be one of the least painful and most effective way of creating demand for options that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. That demand will  be answered by the free market innovating in ways that could not be anticipated by prescriptive regulation.

Carbon credit trading is a close second in as much as it also creates market demand for CO2 reducing options and thus unleashes free market innovation.

Answer 4

If you are talking about mandatory government restrictions and/or taxes, then I am opposed to any and all of these forms of extortion.