1. 

I appreciate it may be cold where you are thus giving the impression that global warming doesn’t exist. The reverse side of that coin is that where I am we haven’t had a single snowflake this winter, temperatures have continued to be unseasonably mild for several months and we’ve had more storms in the last six months than we would normally get in ten years.

Your weather and my weather is just that – it’s weather, not climate. The fact that you’re cold and I’m warm is inconsequential when it comes to climate change, it’s only the observed changes in weather pattern and other observations over long periods of time (30 years plus) that are significant.

As far as taxes are concerned, whilst I accept that global warming is reality, I have always been opposed to any ‘solution’ through taxation or other financial impediment. Not least because history shows us that revenues collected this was often end up subsidising other areas of government expenditure.

Here in the UK we do already have similar schemes to those you mentioned. Car tax is apportioned according to CO2 emissions, those with the lowest emissions pay no tax at all whilst those with the highest emissions are penalised the most.

We also pay for running microwaves (and any other gas / electrical device) through the implementation of a green levy. Those that use the most fuel pay the highest levy. Monies raised are used to insulate and improve the homes of the elderly, the infirm, unemployed and other needy people in society.

If the system works it means that the most vulnerable people are the ones that stand to receive the biggest benefits – they get insulated homes, new heating systems and this lower fuel bills and CO2 emissions in the future.

If the system is balanced then it should mean there are as many winners as there are losers. Those who take the conscious decision to continue polluting are the ones who pay whilst those who take steps to reduce emissions receive the benefits.

Overall taxation should remain the same with the conscientious paying less and the injudicious paying more.

Quite how well the system works I can’t say as I don’t involve myself in politics. I very much doubt it works as well as the politicians would like us to believe.

One point to bear in mind – the most thorough economic study on the impacts of climate change calculated that it’s already costing the global economy $600 billion per year and that this will rise to about $2 trillion by 2030. In the worst case scenario the likely cost would be $12 trillion per year.

We can implement global strategies that will completely eliminate the manmade component of global warming for a fraction of these costs. The question is whether we’re willing to invest now to save in the future.

The fact is the US is a major polluter. You can try to ignore that. You can keep your jingoistic USA USA chants and pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist. But it does. And we're watching, taking notes, and working out how we can sue the good ol' US taxpayer for the damage your nation is doing.

Global warming is happening. All those people we train and educate globally in matters of science, all those people we pay to study such things, well, they've given us their report. Repeatedly. For 20 years. The planet is warming and we're causing it. It will cause problems globally. And countries, like the US, can't shirk their responsibility for that. How US politicians run for election ... that's for them to decide but the fact is, your leaders know they can't not do anything ... it's sizable chunks of the US electorate who seem to live in their insulated cocoon.

By the way, it's winter. That's why it's cold in the northern hemisphere. Australia, on the other hand, just had the hottest year on record.

Maxx, I didn't think you would write a short book ! Global warming comes from many sources. The natural warming of the earth surface as well as mans STUPIDY . We are destroying our own world. As far as reelection, all of our politicians will vote for ANYTHING so they can stay in office. Enough with the taxes, enough with the big money companies destroying our earth. I don't know about you, I've had enough !

Trevor how about adding some links to your answer, where is this study that says we are spending 600billion because of global warming, what about the trillions that have been spent on alternative energy which have only increased electricity costs, and are threatening supplies.

At 5.21 central its 8 degrees heading for a -9 F

Im sure some libs like Sheldon Whitehouse will run on it

this cold spell is heading east.

Here's the current output from the weather station at my house:

Time

3:06p

Date

01/05/14

Temperature

76.2°F

Learn what "Global" means.

@Pegminer... Apparently global means the weather station at your house. Oh, and a tree in Yamal.

Obama says in late August, "there is nothing more important facing the globe that climate change"..Really? Since it is SOOO warm today, 15 below where I live, it is obvious that global "warming" is SUCH a huge issue...I can't go outside without burning up today.

Why don't the liberals running for re-election run on this nonsense? How about a global warming national tax where you would mandate every U.S. citizen to disclose their CO2 emission levels?? If you drive a car for example you pay more? How about running a microwave, should we tax this too? Come on libs put your money where your mouth is and run on your fairy tales!