There is nothing wrong in the idea of reducing pollution emitting activity but the proposed carbon pollution reduction scheme is flawed for exactly the reasons that Maximillion mentioned - "a licence to pollute".

It runs the risk of being a Claytons Pollution Reduction Scheme that looks good on paper but in the fine detail actually fails to reduce emissions while delivering on higher revenue for governments and other players.

Wouldn't our energies/money be better spent in investing in renewable projects over time to reduce our dependency on coal fired power in conjuction with measures to increase sustainability.

Man made pollution has produced many problems in the environment well before the boogey man of climate change raised its ugly head.

Reducing polluting activity is highly desirable, and if at the same time it has a positive impact on cliate change then we have all gained. If man-induced climate change is proven without doubt to have been overstated then we have lost nothing.

Pelican & Maxi

Fully support what you say.

With the Libs not even in the reality of curbing pollution and Labor doing too little, I can't even guess when government and big business will actually DO something.

Meanwhile, I will sort my garbage, save on water, drive as little as possible and hope.

Emmissions Trading Scheme: Just another term for 'Transfer of Wealth'. As usual, the individual will be caught in the middle, paying more, while business and Govt will be making a bundle. Will have results very similar to that of the Stock Exchange: Small people lose a lot, while the Big end of town gets wealthier. How could anyone with foresight see it any differently? Take a look at those pushing it. Take a look at what it will cost the average household? Then you can see. I had a lecturer at Uni in the 1980s who told us about what was then called 'Carbon Trading'. It was the 'next big thing' in a new world, to come. I hated the idea then, and I hate it now. Unfair is what I mean, by 'Transfer of wealth': From those who can least afford it, to those who don't need it. GST: Govt revenue (and deficit!) is in 'Billions' whereas it used to be in 'Millions'. I have probably just been alive far too long!

LadyAussieAlone:

There is a well-worn saying that "nothing in life is more certain than Death and Taxes!"...there is another one that is becoming more and more applicable as each days passes,..."A fool and his money are easily parted!"

If this Thread is any indication of the gullibility of some of the "fools" that make up the flock, then it is not really hard to understand why this world is in such a mess!

There has been much contradictary evidence over recent years, presented by scientists of repute, indicating that the present "global warming " phase that we are currently experiencing has in fact occurred many times before throughout the history of this planet, and is attributable to increased Solar Flare activity!

We, as mere mortals have no control over the Sun`s activities, and it has been stated that we would be much better off in the long run by spending money on softening the effects that will be occurring across the globe, as a result of the increasing climatic changes that are facing us all!

We are now being urged by Politicians across the world to "act now before it is too late,...the planet is at the tipping point and if we do NOT implement the Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme immediately, the planet is doomed!"....This is nothing more than the creation of fear across the community to enable the "vested interest" groups to cash-in on another, but much better scam than has been available before!

In the long term, regardless of what happens to this planet, the enlightened ones, the Carbon Trading soothsayers will be able to say "Look our Scheme prevented the death of our planet!" as this planet will survive regardless, ...or if it doesn`t survive, due to the increased Solar activity then it doesn`t matter anyway, simply because there is nothing we can do to alter the Sun`s activity!

Crackcup:
Before watching the program 'Sun' on SBS the other night, I was aware of this cycle of solar storms, caused by electromagnetic activity on the surface, following helium being forced from within the fluid mass, etc etc. It is an 11-year cycle.
My thread is against Carbon Trading. I am aware of numerous other non-human factors contributing to the climate changing.
The reason I focussed on the poor paying more and the wealthy receiving it, in a transfer of wealth, was to outline the futility of the whole process vis-a-vis climate change. I am a householder, and cannot vote in the Senate, on legislation. Therefore I am not the fool who is soon parted with his money. Our houshold electricity bills are going to rise because of Carbon Trading. Actually, as a direct result of it. That's why I likened it to the Stock Exchange. But there is one major difference which riles me: I don't get to invest, to lose my money. I lose because of using electricity.
So, I don't see why you preach to me. It seems we misunderstand each other.

LadyAussieAlone:

Please accept my sincere apologies if you mis-interpreted my last post! I thought that I was expressing my empathy with your previous view, and I had no intention of belittling you,...in fact I myself resent any tendency to belittle a contributor to this Forum!....(unless of course they truly deserve it!)

I agree with you all the way down the line and thought that I was simply adding additional material to an already explosive subject!

I just hope that the opposition to the projected implementation of the subject Carbon Emmission Trading Scheme do NOT buckle under the pressure, as happened with the GST issue after Politicians rattled their sabres, shouting words of opposition against the Bill, but when the crucial count of votes came, they somehow acceded to whims of the power brokers and tossed in the towel!

Everyone should be prepared to accept the fact that if this Bill is implemented, the smallest and the weakest in our community will pay upfront while the fat-cats and the influential will manage to avail themselves of some form of convenient exemption!