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Well, I don't think you'll find anyone here who believes that HMG will use carbon taxes specifically for reducing consumption of fossil fuels. It does seem to be just another tax. The duty on cigarettes, for example, is no longer providing enough as people give up the ciggies, so revenue is generated elsewhere.
Well I for one believe that behind all the puff, not a jot of difference will be made.
All the wind farms, solar panels, electric cars etc will just keep the cost of energy slightly lower which will keep consumption slightly higher. The oil producers will continue to pump with maybe some slight reduction if market forces push the prices high enough. ("We have enough income from oil at the moment, lets not pump everything at once. That will reduce prices and mean we run out sooner" type of thinking)
It strikes me as bloody weird that all the grants etc are going towards alternative forms of generation, rather than positive measures to reduce consumption. You get money thrown at you for having enough dosh already to install solar panels, but try getting money thrown at you for insulation or other measures to reduce you power usage and you will get laughed at*)
I read today that the Americans have developed technology that will enable them to access commercially shale gas. They reckon there's enough cheap gas available to keep Uncle Sam going for 100 years.
That will keep oil prices down which means more will be burnt.
On the whole, I'm very pessimistic about any efforts to contain MMGW.
The Governments have hijacked it, the media have sensationalized it, the people don't believe it and quite honestly, the will just isn't there.
What I won't accept is that people blame and slag off the scientists and claim it is a conspiracy and a pack of lies, just because they don't like the potential consequences of our current lifestyle.
Hence my constant repetitive requests for a 'Denier' to actually show us where the science is wrong.
*Having said that, The Carbon Trust did give away rolls of loft insulation a while back, for those who were aware the offer was there. But I think most people had trouble getting any after one of the moderators of this forum stocked up (I assume he installed it at home, as was intended!) |
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