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Most people don't understand the true costs associated with carbon and/or energy reduction.  There are so many externalities beyond the obvious.  If you tax carbon emissions without a cap, the extra $$ cost itself produces more carbon emissions.  If you pay $15000 more for a Prius versus a Honda Civic, that $15000 produces more carbon over the lifetime of the vehicle so you would be better off buying the Civic. 

Another example are schools that switch to compact flourescent bulbs.  A portion of the energy savings is lost because the compact flourescents give off less heat and the heating bill increases. 

People who think we can solve this problem through taxes, or changing our lifestyle by purchasing more expensive low carbon products are not seeing the big picture.

Even walking over driving has a carbon effect because you are burning more calories and thus need to eat more which produces extra carbon.

posted 3 years ago
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