The United States should implement a carbon tax NOW!

Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas and is a major contribution to global warming. Due to corporation favored rules and regulations, carbon emissions have been at record setting years and proven to be hazardous to numerous life forms. A recent Stanford report stated that the social cost of carbon (SCC) is about 6 times the amount that the US goverment claims it is because of the factual social and global changes that are directly related to excessive amounts of carbon and climate change (Estimated social cost of climate change not accurate, Stanford scientists say). If the cost of carbon to society is estimated to be more than 200$ per ton, via Stanford, the goverment needs to put a tax on carbon to not only better represent the damage carbon causes to earth, but also to accelerate the movement away from carbon dioxide and fossil fuels (Estimated social cost of climate change not accurate, Stanford scientists say).

 

The close correlated relationship between the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature change, speaks for itself. The science community has been consistent with their message and many countries have pledged to a renewable future. However, the President of the United States is more concerned about maintaining a strong economy than saving the planet from climate change. This is a paradox. I believe the United States should impose a nationwide carbon tax to not only save the environment, but to protect the economy!

Environmental Reasons

As global temperatures are rising, the effects on the environment and earths inhabitants are becoming more hazardous. According to a recent report, “the global average sea level has been rising at about 3 millimeters” a year for the last 20 year (Environmental Impact). In places with low elevation this is incredible dangerous, in countries like Bangladesh, millions of people would be displaced if the sea level rising rate accelerated. Its important to maintain a constant sea level, if we dont “several islands in the South Pacific and Indian oceans may disappear entirely” (Environmental Impact). Losing continental surface would be detrimental to millions of humans and even worse for animals.

Excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to rising acidic levels in the Ocean. Acidic levels in the ocean have varied in earths history because of natural and sustainable measures through millions of years. Today, because of human activity, the ocean and the marine life that depends on its sustainable pH level, are experiencing changes faster than ever before. A 2007 report stated that the oceans, “absorb 22 million tons of carbon dioxide every day” (Discovering the Effects of CO₂Levels on Marine Life and Global Climate). As concentration levels in the atmosphere continues to increase, the oceans will continue to absorb more carbon dioxide. One noticeable life form, that increased acidic levels in the ocean effects, is coral reefs. With higher ocean acidification,  “corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate they need to maintain their skeletons and the stony skeletons that support corals and reefs will dissolve” (How does climate change affect coral reefs?). Apparently, “the ocean is about 30% more acidic now than it was in 1751”, raising critical red flags about its rapid change (How does climate change affect coral reefs?). Many aquatic species rely on coral reefs for shelter, and coral reefs actually protect coastlines from powerful waves. Take a look at the picture below, human activity is killing some of most functional and beautiful organisms on our planet.

The environmental effects of climate change are real. The list of other damages it does to the earth goes on and on. It is important that the public understands the truth about climate change and try to reverse the damages we have done. I will end the environmental argument with one thought; species are currently dying 100 times more than the normal extinction rate. At this pace, some of our most beloved and important creatures could be wiped out forever. It is our job to limit carbon emissions, to stop climate change and protect our one and only earth. A carbon tax would be beneficial towards limiting environmental effects, and help accelerating the movement.

The movement to a renewable future

The use of carbon to create energy is not sustainable! Fossil fuels, which run America and most of the world, will not be around forever. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there are an estimated just under ” 5,000GtC remaining in the ground” (Working Group III: Mitigation). A Yale report claims that the use of fossil fuel will be “phased out almost entirely by 2100”, and “without a drastic slowdown in emissions within the next decade the phase-out date could happen much earlier, probably before 2050” (What Is the Carbon Limit? That Depends Who You Ask). If the fossil fuel budget is already reaching a near capacity, there is no time to wait and use up all the energy left in the world. By placing a tax on carbon, the United States could collect millions of dollars in revenue and use that to help stimulate a renewable energy economy.

A carbon tax could generate massive amounts of revenue for governments and countries to use in a progressive manner. In 2012 “13 gigawatts worth of wind-powered electricity generation capacity was installed in the United States”, enough energy to power 3 million homes (A Carbon Tax Could Bolster Green Energy). Despite an innovative tactic, “a Congress controlled by Republicans with little interest in renewable energy”, lead to the decline of wind-power supplying the nation (A Carbon Tax Could Bolster Green Energy). The idea of taking the revenue from a carbon tax and putting into renewable projects makes complete sense. This could create millions of jobs while looking for alternative and improving our renewable energy options. It also pressures corporations and factories who use fossil fuel to look elsewhere for energy. Renewable energy is being cheaper every year because the technology is becoming better. As more effort and money is spent toward renewable energy the cheaper and more accessible it will be to the public. The movement towards clean energy and a clean future begins with a carbon tax.

Economical Reasons

As many people become aware of the environmental effects of climate change, more and more studies are coming out about the ways it effects the economy. According to a Stanford report, climate change is linked to economic production. Marshall Burke, a professor “of Earth system science at Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences” who co-led the study, states that the evidence confirms “there are particular temperatures where we humans are really good at producing stuff” (Stanford researchers’ calculations reveal higher-than-expected global economic cost of climate change). At an average temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, if climate change moves past this “threshold”,  “wealthy countries will start to see a drop-off in economic output. Poorer countries, mostly in the tropics, will suffer even steeper losses because they are already past the temperature threshold” and add a new element to the “global inequality gap” (Stanford researchers’ calculations reveal higher-than-expected global economic cost of climate change). If climate change can effect production at a global level and even increase inequality between the rich and the poor, then it should be without question to aim at remaining at a constant, stable temperature.

As prior stated, recent research estimates that the real social cost of carbon is close to 220$. The United States EPA claims the social cost is only 37$ per metric ton emitted. Another Stanford report claims that for the past two decades “models have assumed that climate change can’t affect the basic growth rate of the economy”, yet know we know this is false.(Estimated social cost of climate change not accurate, Stanford scientists say). If climate change not only effects economic production, but also slows down its growth, “then that has a permanent effect that accumulates over time, leading to a much higher social cost of carbon” (Estimated social cost of climate change not accurate, Stanford scientists say). As carbon continues is emit into the atmosphere, the economy will face changes. It does not make sense to let corporations and countries do whatever they want for a profit while ignoring the effects throughout the planet. Lets take a look at a recent carbon tax and the effects it had on the economy

While corporations and political leaders argue a carbon tax is bad and will harm the economy, there are sufficient reasons that a carbon tax is beneficial to not only the planet but the economy. First of all, it is a “generally accepted fact among scholars that a properly-implemented carbon tax” would lower carbon emissions (Why a Carbon Tax is Good for the U.S Economy). Lower emissions is something we need to aim for, slowing down fossil fuel consumption can prolong the greenhouse effect (and climate change) and give time for alternative methods. Nonetheless, people, including Donald Trump, think a carbon tax has to be at the expense of a slower economy. However, British Columbia, Canada, proved otherwise. British Columbia “started phasing in a carbon tax in 2008 and used the revenue to reduce income taxes”(Why a Carbon Tax is Good for the U.S Economy). As assumed, carbon emission decreased in the province and despite an increase of fossil fuel consumption “in the rest of Canada”, “the economy of British Columbia” grew “faster than” the rest of the country (Why a Carbon Tax is Good for the U.S Economy). If a carbon tax can increase economic growth there is no excuse not to implement one.

The facts are present and the time is now. The world needs to be educated about climate change and motivated to do something about it. Political leaders and business owners need to make an effort to use clean energy. A carbon tax can accelerate the movement and help in the progress. At the end of the day, fossil fuels will likely be used up in the next 100 years, do we want our future generations to face 100 more years of excessive pollution? If we do not look towards renewable energy the earth will continue to heat up, species will continue to die and economies will be unstable. The movement starts now and it all starts with a fee, a fine,  a dividend, a cap & trade, whatever you want to call it, it starts with a tax on carbon.

 

 

 

References

1.Bradshaw, Kate, Jan/Feb 2007, Discovering the Effects of CO₂Levels on Marine Life and Global Climate, https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2007/01/

2. Cheyette, Anna, November 1st 2016, Why a Carbon Tax is Good for the U.S. Economy, https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1519-why-a-carbon-tax-is-good-for-the-us-economy

3. Chart: Obeiter, Michael, April 30th 2015, A Carbon Price Would Benefit More than Just the Climate, http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/04/carbon-price-would-benefit-more-just-climate

4. Na. Na. How does climate change affect coral reefs?  http://www.teachoceanscience.net/teaching_resources/education_modules/coral_reefs_and_climate_change/how_does_climate_change_affect_coral_reefs/

5. Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change, Na, Working Group III: Mitigation, http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg3/index.php?idp=18

6. Pearce, Fred, November 6 2014, What Is the Carbon Limit? That Depends Who You Ask, http://e360.yale.edu/features/what_is_the_carbon_limit_that_depends_who_you_ask

7. Porter, Edurado, Nov 18 2014, A Carbon Tax Could Bolster Green Energy, https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/business/economy/a-carbon-tax-could-bolster-wobbly-progress-in-renewable-energy.html

8.Na. Na. The Cost of Energy, http://needtoknow.nas.edu/energy/energy-costs/environmental/

9. Tyson, Laura D’Andrea, June 28 2013, The Myriad Benefits of a Carbon Tax, https://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/the-myriad-benefits-of-a-carbon-tax/

10. Seaman, Laura, October 21 2015, Stanford researchers’ calculations reveal higher-than-expected global economic cost of climate change, http://news.stanford.edu/2015/10/21/climate-change-cost-102115/

11.  Than, Ker, Jan 12 2015, Estimated social cost of climate change not accurate, Stanford scientists say http://news.stanford.edu/2015/01/12/emissions-social-costs-011215/

Picture References 

1. Na, Na, Say NO to a Forced Federal Carbon Tax, http://www.saskparty.com/carbontax

2. Na, 2006, Americans’ Problem With Global Warming “ http://myweb.uiowa.edu/rhorwitz/globalwarming.htm

3. Na, Jan 19 2017, Coral Bleaching, https://www.infobonaire.com/tag/coral-bleaching/

4. Na, June 4th 2015, A carbon price would benefit more than just the climate, https://www.greenbiz.com/article/carbon-price-would-benefit-more-just-climate

5. Na, Canada Statistics, British Columbia’s Carbon Tax Shift: An Environmental and Economic Success,  http://nkp.smartprosperity.ca/news/british-columbia%E2%80%99s-carbon-tax-shift-environmental-and-economic-success

 

 

 

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