Carbon Tax Debate

Multiple studies have found that 97% of climate scientists confirm the fact that the climate is changing rapidly due directly to man imposed greenhouse gases (NASA). Despite being a universal fact within the scientific field, the topic of climate change is still heavily debated. In our Utopia, The United People 's Democratic Republic of Transubstantiation or UP DRT, we believe that addressing climate change is essential in creating a perfect society. We must keep the environment clean for generations. If not, a Utopia is simply impossible. As the effects and damage from climate change have become more significant during recent years so has the spotlight. Recently, everyone from politicians to average citizens have been discussing an answer.

One possibility is a carbon tax, which has been gaining popularity and has become one of the frontrunning solutions among legislation. The basic premise of a carbon tax is a law where the government taxes companies, manufactures, and cooperations for every set unit of carbon emissions they produce. One of the advantages of implying a tax is a tax forces companies to reduce their emissions by charging them for the emissions they produce. Currently in, the US, there are virtually no consequences for emissions. Therefore, a company can pollute as much as they want and receive no economic deduction, just collect the profits. Instead, a tax would force companies to either reduce their emissions or pay. In result, less pollution is being released. Another possible benefit of a carbon tax is the revenue the government receives. With the surplus of tax dollars, the government would have many options on where to spend the extra money. Possibilities include; support programs, paying off the trillion dollar US debt, public education, or even just lowing property and income taxes for Americans. Investment in these areas could improve the lives of many Americans economically as well as providing better government programs by using the increased

As companies would move their factories and headquarters elsewhere to avoid paying the tax. Despite the disagreement, several US states have imposed a carbon tax. The head of this movement, California, has had carbon taxes in different parts of the state since 2006. In 2013, they imposed a statewide carbon tax and have seen positive results. Since the tax was implemented, carbon emissions have fallen 1.5 million metric tonnes (California Greenhouse Gas Board). This is equivalent to removing 300,000 cars from the road. That decrease in emissions makes a sufficient difference. Not only does it slow down the rise in temperatures but it sets an example for other states to follow. Proving that in fact that a carbon tax does reduce harmful