Dr. Hansen reviews the political history of climate policy that urges the Biden Administration to press for carbon fee and dividend and reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Canada shows the way, responding to research showing that periodic payments build political support. “Putting a price on carbon pollution is the most efficient way to bring down our emissions, and our federal system gives the proceeds back to Canadians. By moving to quarterly Climate Action Incentive payments, we are providing more money to eight out of every ten families.”
The draft proposal says a carbon tax is “the most impactful and transparent way to achieve meaningful progress on the dual goals of reducing greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions while simultaneously ensuring continued economic growth.” It also proposes a dividend!
Ocean shipping is a notoriously “difficult to transition” to clean energy. This leading international trade group calls on governments to take six steps to help, starting with carbon pricing.
A study in Nature Climate Change concluded dividends do not increase the popularity of a carbon price. Why? Implementation in the countries studied didn’t highlight the dividend adequately.
These subsidies artificially reduce the price of fossil fuels and generally take two forms: production subsidies and consumption subsidies. “When digging yourself into a hole, first thing: Stop Digging!”
Editor’s Note: Jim Hansen contemplates the new Netflix “comedy” Don’t Look Up as a not-far-exaggerated allegory of US political and media reaction to climate change. His letter is strongly supportive of CCL. Definitely worth reading.
A powerful letter from Dr. Hansen: “The eyes of history may see 2021 as a turning point for human-made climate change. Hyperbole? Maybe not.”
The policy, known as carbon pricing, would impose a charge on businesses and consumers. It’s being debated at COP26 as ‘hurting the world’s poorest households.” (Note: no mention of the CF&D dividend.)
The White House and at least 49 senators support a proposal to impose an almost $20 per-ton fee on carbon as part of President Joe Biden’s climate-and-spending legislation, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said Saturday.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged all countries to adopt a global price on carbon, a measure he says will curb the use of fossil fuels and level the playing field for countries like Canada.
Nobel prize (Economist) William Nordhaus: The single most important step to achieve climate objectives is to put a market price on the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
