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You might want to work on a way to make a convincing argument to the general public. Because the echo chamber here notwithstanding, where I live nobody really b
by ams6110 10y ago
You might want to work on a way to make a convincing argument to the general public. Because the echo chamber here notwithstanding, where I live nobody really believes there is a climate problem, or at best they give it lip service while they drive their new Escalade to Starbucks for a $5 cup of coffee.
I think that in reality we will not see people changing behaviors unless and until there are real observable climate changes that are affecting their lives. And even then I have my doubts.
- robbiemitchell 10y agoFor the Conservative crowd, we need to characterize renewable energy as energy independence.
- bhickey 10y agoAnd carbon taxes as reducing regulation.
- alphapapa 10y agoHow are you going to spin that?
- losteric 10y agoIt's a strategic regulation that replaces multiple tactical regulations. Therefore, carbon tax leads to fewer regulations.
- alphapapa 10y agoWhich regulations does it replace?
- omegaworks 10y agoCap and trade, in California, at least. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2017/03/02/california-lurches-for-a-carbon-tax-after-consecutive-greenhouse-gas-auction-failures/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2017/03/02/californ...
- losteric 10y agoDepending on how far it's taken, the carbon tax could replace every other regulation of carbon-based green house gas emissions. However, our contemporary Republican part uses "anti-regulations" as code for "anti-government, anti-law enforcement", so I doubt carbon tax will get any play.
- IanCal 10y agoCarbon taxes are also cutting subsidies. Given the external costs, big users are being subsidised by everyone else.
- Turing_Machine 10y agoAlso, war is peace, ignorance is strength, and freedom is slavery. Good luck with that.
- skwirl 10y agoI don't think complaining about people buying $5 cups of coffee at Starbucks is helpful for making a convincing argument. When you make statements like that, you give people the impression that your true motive is to attack capitalism and that raising environmental concerns are simply an underhanded tactic to do so. I understand your point about driving, but the brand of coffee and the cost is irrelevant and complaining about it is counterproductive. There's no reason we can't address climate change and have $5 cups of coffee at Starbucks (although I prefer $2 cups of coffee at Dunkin Donuts).
- stuaxo 10y agoI think it's the driving is the bigger problem (Starbucks exists in many walkable countries too). But yeah, you're right, highlighting the Starbucks is a bad plan here. Highlighting all the ways in which being good for the environment is good for business is definitely a plus.