Editor, The Times:
The carbon tax plan detailed in the Dec. 4 issue of the Times (“Climate conference lobbies for fee-and-dividend”) is probably a baby-step in the right direction.
It is becoming more and more obvious as time goes by, and the planet’s finite resources are being consumed at an alarming rate, primarily by First World countries, that a lot of things need to be done and changed. Such a tax might put a slight brake on the economy, depending on the size of it, but what we really need is to slam on the brakes – good luck with that.
Political and industrial leaders are constantly clamouring for more growth to the economy. How can it grow forever on finite resources? Growth rates are duly reported as if they are a good thing and are sustainable forever; although one doesn’t hear them say “forever” in that context, as anyone can see the irrational basis to such a claim, but they seem to act like they believe it is possible.
A serious look at the sustainability of even the current population of the First World, let alone with more growth is long overdue.
A lot of people will laugh at the following suggestion, but I mean it in all seriousness – we need to look at the Amish lifestyle, and possibly get off our high fossil fuel horses, and back to using real ones.
Sandy Crane
Upper Clearwater, B.C.