Having worked with businesses for the past 20 years on voluntary commitments, I can speak from experience that this is true. Only policy changes will create sustained changes to business practices. By creating clear policies are enabling businesses to do what they do best in a level playing field. But this is not only about what businesses should NOT being doing, it is about incentivizing them to what we want them to do. Look at the tremendous burst of activity, innovation, and investment the Inflation Reduction Act has sparked.
Chief Scientific Officer of Exxon knew in late 70s about harmful effects of fossil fuels and was ready to take action. Same with other oil company leaders. Then they got politicians of a certain party to "collaborate" by realizing that since no one could predict precisely what would happen when, as opposed to knowing big picture directionality, they could cast doubt on predictions and delay delay delay. Until the present day.
We need Congress to wake up and pass legislation that sunsets fossil fuel subsidies and gives tax incentives to companies that take real action vs. soft commitments.
Hi Marc - I agree we need Congress to do more asap. To do that, we need to elect candidates who agree with us. I think getting out the vote etc now more important than ever (obviously other good reasons to do this too).
Hi Mr. Tercek, thanks for your latest post. I'm curious, why don't you simply come out and say we need a national price on carbon with a border tariff. It solves all the challenges you've presented. We really shouldn't be sheepishly dancing around this solution, we should be jumping up and down as loud as we can everywhere we go, especially in posts like yours. I can't believe the damage we are doing to the planet, as if everything is fine. The longer we wait the more expensive this all gets. Sincerely.
Thanks for your comment. I agree that a price on carbon with a border tariff (especially if the carbon price started pretty high and keep rising) would address the challenge I discuss in my blog. However, there are different ways to mandate decarbonization — maybe I should write a post on that topic soon. I have in mind cap and trade, carbon tax, and various top down mandates. They each different pros and cons and some are probably more politically viable than others right now.
Thank you sir. Yes, hoping more influencers will take this on. I agree there are many ways to price carbon and would welcome any of them. FWIW if I could be king for a day my grand bargain between Ds and Rs would be... "Hey R's I'll agree to reform entitlements like Social Security so we can save our country from fiscal ruin if you'll agree to a price on carbon so we can save ourselves from planetary ruin." I think Senator Whitehouse would agree to that and I feel confident a Senator like Romney could support that from the R side. Kind regards.
Having worked with businesses for the past 20 years on voluntary commitments, I can speak from experience that this is true. Only policy changes will create sustained changes to business practices. By creating clear policies are enabling businesses to do what they do best in a level playing field. But this is not only about what businesses should NOT being doing, it is about incentivizing them to what we want them to do. Look at the tremendous burst of activity, innovation, and investment the Inflation Reduction Act has sparked.
100%!!!
Chief Scientific Officer of Exxon knew in late 70s about harmful effects of fossil fuels and was ready to take action. Same with other oil company leaders. Then they got politicians of a certain party to "collaborate" by realizing that since no one could predict precisely what would happen when, as opposed to knowing big picture directionality, they could cast doubt on predictions and delay delay delay. Until the present day.
We need Congress to wake up and pass legislation that sunsets fossil fuel subsidies and gives tax incentives to companies that take real action vs. soft commitments.
Hi Marc - I agree we need Congress to do more asap. To do that, we need to elect candidates who agree with us. I think getting out the vote etc now more important than ever (obviously other good reasons to do this too).
Hi Mr. Tercek, thanks for your latest post. I'm curious, why don't you simply come out and say we need a national price on carbon with a border tariff. It solves all the challenges you've presented. We really shouldn't be sheepishly dancing around this solution, we should be jumping up and down as loud as we can everywhere we go, especially in posts like yours. I can't believe the damage we are doing to the planet, as if everything is fine. The longer we wait the more expensive this all gets. Sincerely.
Thanks for your comment. I agree that a price on carbon with a border tariff (especially if the carbon price started pretty high and keep rising) would address the challenge I discuss in my blog. However, there are different ways to mandate decarbonization — maybe I should write a post on that topic soon. I have in mind cap and trade, carbon tax, and various top down mandates. They each different pros and cons and some are probably more politically viable than others right now.
Yes, please do write on this topic.
Thank you sir. Yes, hoping more influencers will take this on. I agree there are many ways to price carbon and would welcome any of them. FWIW if I could be king for a day my grand bargain between Ds and Rs would be... "Hey R's I'll agree to reform entitlements like Social Security so we can save our country from fiscal ruin if you'll agree to a price on carbon so we can save ourselves from planetary ruin." I think Senator Whitehouse would agree to that and I feel confident a Senator like Romney could support that from the R side. Kind regards.