How Do You Weigh-in on Carbon?

Whether in Copenhagen or a final global agreement at a later date, the world moves closer to an action plan to address carbon. The debate over the validity of the science will undoubtedly continue into the near future; however, those on both sides of the debate would probably agree that some form of climate legislation will eventually make its way into global policy the domestic law.

With a general direction for emission reduction likely inevitable, questions continue to loom on the local impacts to business and the eventual end consumer. In our own sustainability consulting, we face many questions from the community:

•    How will I be affected?
•    Will I feel the impacts in my wallet?
•    Will the financial impacts be felt immediately?
•    Where are the costs likely to show up?
•    Will I be paying only my share?
•    How will my everyday life be affected?

Pondering these concerns, we find the conversation in the United States beginning to shift from discussion of the possibility of legislation to the most effective implementation of a reduction program to address impact concerns.

In a pulse-check of its readership, a recent New York Times article asked their followers to share thoughts about climate change. As responses continue to come in, two paths of eventual administration seem to be of greatest concern. Here is what two respondents had to say:

•    Carbon Tax: “A tax and dividend scheme would make companies wake up and realize that they have to adjust their financial projections to account for the additional cost of emissions.”

•    Cap and Trade: “Economic models are much more uncertain than climate models, and there is no way for economists to accurately predict the price that will effectively bring down our emissions.”

At Taiga Company, our sustainability consulting is personally charged with promoting expanded eco awareness and driving change in business. With climate policy and legislation on the immediate horizon, we welcome the discussion of personal and business sustainability impacts. We encourage each and everyone to expand the discussion and personally weight-in on carbon.