Cleaner energy sources or carbon rations

[Royston]

I was watching BBC news this morning and a proposal back in 1990 for carbon rations has been brought back into the limelight again for the UK. If the plan goes ahead, residents of the UK will be issued a 'carbon card' where they have a limit on the amount of energy they use. If the amount of energy used is below the agreed limit, then credit can be obtained and exchanged for money...similarly if the amount exceeds the limit then obviously a charge is applied...presumably per unit of excess energy used.

 

The problem with this plan is that for anybody who has no choice in their energy consumption e.g somebody who lives in the countryside and has to drive 30 miles to work everyday will almost certainly lose out...as one example.

 

The other solution is for the government to lead by example, and commit to cleaner sources so people who do have no choice, are treated fairly, and not charged for energy consumption that is out of their control. The first proposal would put the UK in line with the Kyoto agreement (whatever your feelings are on that agreement.)

 

If anybody has anything to add or has more info on this subject, that would be great.

 

What does everyone think, should everybody take 'liable' responsibility for future energy consumption, or should the government be fully responsible in supplying clean and efficent energy sources so certain individuals don't lose out due to their personal situation.

[DrCloud]

The problem with this plan is that for anybody who has no choice in their energy consumption e.g somebody who lives in the countryside and has to drive 30 miles to work everyday will almost certainly lose out...as one example.

 

Of course, they do have a choice, of either living closer to the job or having a job closer to the country.

 

In a way, there's already an implementation of this in a voluntary form on a bigger scale. The Chicago Climate Exchange deals, like a stock market, in carbon futures trading in anticipation of a quasi-rationing system imposed on industry. "Clean" industries can sell their rations to dirty ones. People can speculate on credits futures. It's a sort of free-market version of what some governments might mandate.

 

I'm neither endorsing nor condemning it, and whether it will work remains to be seen. There are some oil companies, though, who are investing in planting trees as ways of improving their carbon credit/debit situation. HPH

[ecoli]

Of course, they do[/i'] have a choice, of either living closer to the job or having a job closer to the country.

 

That's not always a possible solution, financialy.

[SmallIsPower]

Moving closer or get a more economical or electrical vehicle, or mass transit. That will leave some out in the cold, unfortunately, but it's pay now or pay later. Peak Oil and the greenhouse effect is here. There's no way to get through this painlessly.

[Royston]

There's no way to get through this painlessly.

 

Well yeah, I was really concentrating on the opinion of the two proposals, the concensus appears it's either one or the other...obviously it takes effort from both parties to make a difference, but I see the governments carbon rationing idea as a means to shift responsibility.

 

The problem should be tackled from the source IMO, rather than penalizing individuals who not only have no choice in the energy they consume (financial reasons, location et.c) but also, I'm sure there's plenty of people who simply 'don't care' and will just pay extra. They're either not educated in the effects of burning fossil fuels or it's the 'well I won't be around when this becomes a real problem' or 'nobody else makes an effort, why should I, attitude.

 

I'm neither endorsing nor condemning it, and whether it will work remains to be seen. There are some oil companies, though, who are investing in planting trees as ways of improving their carbon credit/debit situation. HPH

 

I agree that it's impossible to stipulate whether such a plan would work, I was more interested in the opinion of this being a 'fair' solution. It's good oil companies are taking the steps you mentioned, it's a start.