Carbon Rationing

Lord Finsbury the chairman of the Environment Agency has proposed that everyone be given a carbon ration account. This would mean that if you stay within the quota of carbon then you will be unaffected, or even be able to sell on excess "credits". However if you go over your ration then you will have to purchase more credits from underconsumers to be allowed to travel.

"People would be given a “carbon account” and a unique number that they would have to submit when making purchases of carbon-intensive items such as petrol, electricity or airline tickets.". From this article from timesonline.co.uk.

Unfortunately the Climate Change Act became law in the UK in 2008, and since then the Government have been searching for ways to ensure that the UK carbon dioxide emissions are at least 80% lower than 1990 by 2050. The idea of carbon rationing is superior to that of carbon taxes as it allows the free market work to some extent, and will prevent low income people from suffering (as long as they restrict their travel). However the effect of carbon rationing will still fall heavier on the poor, who will only be able to remain within the limit, as they will generally be unable to afford to purchase more credits. Those on higher incomes will be able to afford to travel beyond the limit imposed by the rationing by simply purchasing more credits.

If imposed this would have the effect of causing people to be more aware of their carbon "footprint" and may encourage a higher use of public transport, carpooling, and other methods that reduce emissions. But is this really necessary? This sort of limiting of liberties (and it indeed does so, especially limiting those of people on lower incomes) is increasingly being justified by the war on climate change, a dubious prospect in itself.

Regulations such as this have negative externalities in a variety of places. Developing countries that rely on tourism will suffer from the equivelently increased cost of travel and reduction of tourists as a result, airlines would suffer reduced custom, and the cost of commuting to work will be increased, reducing mobility of labour.

The House of Coomons Environmental Audit Committee has said in a report that "Widespread public acceptance, while desirable, should not be a pre-condition for a personal carbon trading scheme; the need to reduce emissions is simply too urgent". You can understand now how little these climate change Nazis care about the general public, in their push to save the world.