Click here to check out our page about Environmental Laws and Changes

Carbon Credits Among Countries

The Cut: Countries would set a mandatory target for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases by 20% in the year 2020. Then the government would allocate those cuts among various industries, such as utilities, transportation, etc. Without specifying any technological solutions, government would mandate, for instance, that cars must get higher gas mileage, or utilities emit less carbon.

The Option: Individual companies could meet the emission goals set by their country’s government. They could make cuts themselves, or they could buy rights to emit from others that have made more cuts than required. If the companies themselves cut more then they need to, they could sell that extra, just like any other commodity. They could also earn credit for planting trees that soak up carbon dioxide or for investing in low-emission technology in developing nations such as China. Also, those credits could be bought and sold.

Original Artwork By: Billy

The Benefits: In addition to meeting reduction targets and lessening the threat of global warming, such a worldwide carbon credit market-based trading system would help protect forests. This is because the land might prove more valuable for capturing carbon than for ranching. It would also reduce world dependence on oil and spur development of energy-efficient technology.

To see a page about different myths and perspectives on global warming, as well as the greenhouse effect, see this page. It includes such myths as nature benign, nature ephemeral, nature perverse/tolerant, and nature capricious, it also explains what each myths means and who believes in them.

Global warming is becoming more aware to many people around the world; however, people of undeveloped nations are not getting enough education on global warming. Undeveloped and developed nations have very different perspectives on global warming. Some of their perspectives are influenced by their industries and how much each nation imports and exports. Most undeveloped nations export more to developed nations, than developed nations send to undeveloped nations.

We are welcoming any questions or comments so feel free to write to us! Our email address is globalissues@onsu.com

The Greenhouse Effect Oil Consumption Climate and Weather Change Alternative Energy Sources

Environmental Law & Changes Health Changes & Issues Credits