Carbon Tax Can Be Reality

There is a better idea out there than maintaining gas prices at $3/gallon (“Boost price of gas back to $3 a gallon”, DM Register 10/3/06). The basis of the argument is that it appeared as though this was the apex at which people decided to find alternative means of transportation. The first fault is that you shouldn’t set gas at that level; it should be above that level. Our dependence upon oil is not the central issue here either; it’s the damage that CO₂ does to our environment. Luckily a solution exists that will help remediate both of those problems. Sweden has implemented what is called a Carbon tax, placing a $100 per ton tax on oil, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, and aviation fuel used in domestic travel. This may not be the exact solution to the US’s dilemma; however it could easily be replicated. A tax should be instated that drastically increases the price of gas, like about $5, (Sweden’s was at $5.80 in March). The offset is to do away with income tax. This puts more money in people’s pocket, and hopefully forces them to make more environmentally friendly decisions about where they spend it. The billions generated can go back into funding the creation of energy/fuel efficient public transportation, and energy research. Society has been making a huge mistake for nearly 100 years, and its time to do something about it.