I was going to tackle something related to the election this week, but I honestly can’t think of anything I want to bring up. Instead, I’m going to discuss a point that I’ve seen parroted by numerous opponents of the carbon tax prior to it taking effect next week:
Why are we (as in Canada) enacting a carbon tax if it won’t lower global CO2 emissions enough to prevent climate change?
First, let’s acknowledge the point that a carbon levy will not “fix” climate change. Canada only generates two per cent of annual global CO2 emissions, and lowering our output will not have a major impact on climate change.
But the problem is that opponents of the carbon levy view our actions in a bubble. They see Canada as acting alone, and if that was indeed the case, our efforts would be pointless.
But climate change is “a tragedy of the commons,” as the saying goes. We’ve all contributed to this problem, and we all have to take action to mitigate its adverse effects.
Luckily, we’re not alone in acting. Nearly 200 countries signed the Paris Agreement, with the U.S. being the one major holdout.
Many countries are taking action to reduce their global CO2 emissions. Even China, the country often held up by climate change deniers as “the reason we can’t do anything,” has become the largest investor in renewable energy. They need to do more, but an attempt is being made.
And yes, while we only contribute two per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions, Canada is the biggest polluters in the world on a per capita basis. We helped create this problem, so we should contribute to fixing it.
Will a carbon levy reduce our CO2 emissions? Though it is hard to gauge the impact, it undoubtedly will. As has been the case in Alberta, revenue from the carbon levy can be redirected to renewable energy projects and technology to capture CO2 and convert it to fuel. It will also incentivize businesses, schools and municipalities to reduce their CO2 emissions.
“But Kevin, you’re basically arguing in favour of raising food prices and heating bills and making Canadians a lot more uncomfortable.” Yes, I am. I wish I didn’t have to. But I have not heard any better alternative to the carbon levy, which IS supported by economists as the best way to lower our CO2 emissions.
And let me stress this point: doing nothing is not an option. The predictions for our future are frightening. If we don’t mitigate the worst effects of climate change, we’re talking about increased natural disasters of escalating severity, the loss of all coral reefs, the flooding of coastal cities and the advent of mass famines and even plagues.
Is avoiding discomfort today worth sacrificing the future?
