Redefining Energy

[purpletigron]

They are looking for volunteers around the country to help launch and promote this:

http://www.redefiningenergy.com/

"Redefining Energy is a 30 year update on the Centre for Alternative Technology's ... Alternative Energy Strategy. It is a standalone integrated UK energy policy; a practical blueprint for a sustainable future."

"The challenges facing the world can no longer be considered in isolation. We must link climate change, energy security and global equity into a single issue with an integrated solution.

"There are reactions to climate change, such as a global dash for gas, which increase energy insecurities. There are solutions to depleting oil reserves, such as a massive switch back to coal, which accelerate climate change ... [U]sing inappropriate global trading to try to solve global equity will exacerbate both climate change and energy security.

"These kinds of measures – solving one challenge at the expense of another simply will not do. The key to success is to solve the three main challenges together.

"In July, CAT will release ... a blueprint for Britain to secure its sustainable energy future. The strategy will call for the distribution of personal tradable carbon permits and presents a portfolio of technologies and policies that will support our rapid transition to a nation that is both energy secure and carbon neutral.

"The UK urgently needs thousands of skilled professionals if we are to meet this vital challenge. The Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) will incorporate the facilities of a university, teaching courses up to Masters level in renewable energy and architectural innovation. It will also provide a new kind of learning environment, with practical examples of low carbon technologies."

Comments

[drplokta]

Personal carbon permits would be horrendously complicated. Apart from anything else, you'd effectively need to do the ID card project to make it work. Better by far to sell permits to the relatively small number of importers or extractors of fossil fuels, and reduce everyone's taxes by the corresponding amount, which comes to exactly the same thing except that the administrative costs and intrusion into everyone's lives would be vastly lower.

[ig1234.livejournal.com]

But that will create severe inequalities, which the personal carbon allocation would intend to solve.

If the companies are charged, most of that will be passed onto the consumer. Of course, lower taxes will help to a degree, but those in fuel poverty already will suffer much harder. Under the rationing system, they would be financially better off than usual, ideally.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Even the most sophisticated ID scheme would not stop a carbon black market. So I do not support any climate change prevention measures which require an ID scheme. However, 'carbon money' could run without ID needed.

[ig1234.livejournal.com]

How?

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Like cash?

[ig1234.livejournal.com]

...what good does that do? You just buy the credits... or what?

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

As you should guess, I am very dubious about personal carbon permits precisely because of the ID aspect. However, CAT have a lot of good ideas, which deserve much greater consideration.