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Is a Carbon Tax Really the answer?. Bruce M. Everett February 28, 2013. Global CO 2 Emissions from Energy 1990 = 22 Billion tonnes. Rest of the World. OECD Europe. China. US. Source: Energy Information Administration. Global CO 2 Emissions from Energy 2013 = 33 Billion tonnes.
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Is a Carbon Tax Really the answer? Bruce M. Everett February 28, 2013
Global CO2 Emissions from Energy1990 = 22 Billion tonnes Rest of the World OECD Europe China US Source: Energy Information Administration
Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2013 = 33 Billion tonnes Source: Energy Information Administration
Global CO2 Emissions from Energy1990 = 22 Billion tonnes Source: Energy Information Administration
Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2013 = 33 Billion tonnes Rest of the World OECD Europe China US Source: Energy Information Administration
Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2035 = 43 Billion tonnes Source: Energy Information Administration
Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2013 = 33 Billion tonnes Source: Energy Information Administration
Rest of the World Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2035 = 43 Billion tonnes China OECD Europe US Source: Energy Information Administration
Energy intensity (Btu per $2005 of GDP) China US 1990 2011 2035
Rest of the World Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2035 = 43 Billion tonnes China OECD Europe Solar Wind Solar $200 B US Electric Cars $60 B Wind $200 B 2% A $trillion worth of policy Biofuels $320 B 51 mpg $? Source: Energy Information Administration
Rest of the World Global CO2 Emissions from Energy2035 = 43 Billion tonnes China OECD Europe 2% Nuclear US Solar Wind
In 2035, China and India are projected to emit this much CO2from coal. After 80 years and $1 trillion in subsidies, the global solar industry will offset this much.
The average American household emits about 50 metric tonnes of CO2 annually.
How big should the carbon tax be? The current European carbon price: $6/tonne The current CDM price: $1/tonne US RGGI price: $2/tonne
“Sin” taxes are levied not to eliminate sin, but to raise revenue($40 billion in 2010). Prediction: Carbon taxes will be structured for revenue, not carbon reduction.
The key problems with a carbon tax: Real CO2 emission reductions have unacceptable economic consequences. US carbon emissions no longer matter.