Based on the article you were given in class on Friday, what are your thoughts on the cap and trade system? What do you think about the possibility of Oregon not waiting for the federal government?
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Global warming is a problem that poses the question of whether we want to fix it now, or later. Either way, reducing green house gas emissions is going to hurt business (particularly small business), but we have to put this inevitability aside in order to look at the larger picture, which is that we need to stop polluting the world, yesterday. The cap and trade system seems to be the best way to forcibly transition the world into sustainable energy practices, because eventually these companies will want to find ways of producing energy that are completely tax free.
Oregon not waiting for the federal government, while sounding like a good idea, might not realistically be the best one. We would essentially lose all national markets (except for apparently California) because our products would be so much more expensive because of the tax.
Honestly, I can see where both sides are coming from. I think the cap and trade system is a great idea environmentally to help limit our emissions, but I can also see how it may generate an economic disadvantage for Oregon and the other western states considering it. We do need to pass legislation that will force companies to change to a more green approach because we will never get business to change without an economic or legal incentive. This system seemed to work in the 90's in our attempts to limit acid rain, which is encouraging to me. This success provides evidence that our transition to a cap and trade system would be beneficial and less damaging to companies than many opposers think. As for having us go first in the transition process, I think we ultimately will, but I'm not sure if there is any real economic advantage to going first. Environmentally it would be good to start limiting emissions immediately, but economically I don't see how it would spur business. Ultimately we must consider both the environment's needs and industry's needs because they both are important to our existance.
I think that the cap and trade system would be a good thing for Oregon. Right now, we don't know if or when a national cap and trade system will be passed, and there isn't any harm in being ahead of the curve. In fact, we could have an advantage if we pass it before the nation does as a whole. It is better to fix global warming at this time period than later, and if we listen to big companies say that this system isn't necessary, then we are just leaving it until later. I can see many benefits in instituting a cap and trade system, but no downsides. If this same system could work in the 90's, why couldn't it work now? The cap and trade system would benefit the environment, and force companies to give back. Our products would be more expensive in the short term, but after a national transition they would be cheaper. I think that either this or a carbon tax should be put into effect as soon as possible.
In our current economic situation, i'm not sure that taking money away from business and putting higher taxes on Oregon products would be beneficial to the state presently. I think that the cap and trade system does sound like an important step toward stopping pollution, but the impact on families that already have to choose between paying their electricity bill or eating, may not take too kindly to increased costs. It is important to decide which way to go on this issue before the bill is changed by senators from coal states.
In general, I believe the cap and trade system is very beneficial. It gives companies the financial incentive to reduce emissions, and as the the book puts it, a creative way to do it. I think Amy's point is very true about the economy, since we need to make priorities and figure out whether this will negatively affect consumers to a degree that it is worth cutting the bill. I do think having Oregon do this before the federal government could be a signal to them that some states are seriously in support of this and really want to get this system in place, perhaps putting pressure on the federal government to pass such a bill sooner. I can also see the point of view that says that it might actually benefit Oregon companies and industries. In general, I think the cap-and-trade system would be good for Oregon as long as it was implemented with caution to not ruin the economy. I think it could be much more successful than a simple carbon tax, and much more supported by the public and industries.
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