Understanding Emissions Trading and Global Warming
It goes without saying that there is often an inherent conflict between science and economies. Emission trading is an interesting effort in the global warming arena.
Understanding Emissions Trading and Global Warming
It is a mild understatement to say that global warming is both a controversial and misunderstood field. As the decay of the ice packs and slowing of the ocean conveyer become more apparent, the controversy is starting to evolve into an acceptance of global warming as a fact. Given this great acceptance, the question is now what to do about it.
Every society is based upon some form of economy. Although globalization is the much touted economic subject of the day, the industrial revolution is still really the heart of most
...maker Sun Microsystems and chip maker Advanced Micro Devices already advertise their products' power-saving credentials. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have begun rewarding these initiatives through token award systems called, "green ranking". Green rankings publicly highlight exceptional earth friendly efforts put ...
Emission caps are a method for dealing with economies on a nationwide scale. Essentially, countries agree to cap their total output of pollutants and greenhouse gases at a certain level. Each government then converts this total amount into individual caps for industries or business. The caps essentially tell the businesses the amount they are allowed to emit and
...been increasing since the Industrial Revolution, with the prevalence of greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases trap more heat near the earth, increasing global temperatures. Though Global Warming doesn't sound that bad, with many people's image of it being that of ...
The interesting thing about emissions caps is that they can be traded. Ostensibly, a country or business that falls under the cap amounts can trade their excess emissions allotment for money. In turn, other parties that fail to meet their caps must buy these allotments. By taking this approach, reduction of pollutants become not only a moral choice, but a potential profit center. For example, Brazil has done an amazing job of converting automobiles to ethanol. It has now evolved from an oil importer to an exporter and is selling emission credits on
...the 18th century, a hut of the Trekboers and a Khoikhoi camp have been rebuilt and furnished true to detail. Actors in historical dresses reinvoke the rural life of the old days. Visitors can watch how they manufactured soap, rolled ...
Emission trading systems do not represent a new approach to dealing with the pollution problem. On smaller scales, such approaches have been used within the United States as part of the Clean Air Act to force municipalities and states to act. With the implementation of the Kyoto Treaty, this process will become full blown on the international scene. Alas, India, China and the United States are not signatories to the Treaty, which is unfortunate given their economic growth and production of greenhouse gases and pollutants.
Rick Chapo is with Solar Companies - a directory of solar energy companies.
