The Folly of Carbon Taxes

Frequent contributor “MarcoPolo” has written dozens of comments here over the years.  Judging by his remarks, it’s clear that he’s a Libertarian, yet he has a keen and heartfelt concern for the health of the environment.  In what he wrote in response to my piece on the subject (which is too long to duplicate, but too dense with good ideas to abbreviate), he argues eloquently against a tax on carbon, while suggesting a powerful alternative.

I would only add in summary: smart people (and big corporations can afford to hire plenty of them) will always find a way to beat a certain tax, and especially a new one, where even the most obvious “end-runs” and unintended consequences have not been fully explored.  The whole discussion takes me back to what Buckminster Fuller said, which I paraphrase:  Do not fight against an old, ugly system in the world; simply invent a new  one and make the old one obsolete.

MarcoPolo goes on to note:  The voters of just 11 modern, maritime democracies possess the power, (without any damage to their national economies or the global economy), to make an immediate and effective impact on the planets largest single cause of both environmental ( climate change) and toxic emissions. How ? By simply refusing entry (on a graduated time schedule) to any ship rigged to operate on Marine Grade No. 6 Fuel (bunker oil).

Sir: Though I’m not an expert in the subject, I’m quite sure you are correct in what you’re saying here.  And yes, your mode of enforcement is extremely straight forward.  How close do you think our civilization is from implementing such a system?