Are Green Taxes an Effective Measure Against Pollution?

Last updated on March 20th, 2018

This is concerning as according to Statista.com, 254.6 million passenger cars were registered in the US alone in 2012. When we take into consideration that the average CO2 emissions from an average passenger vehicle is calculated at 14.3 kg CO2 per gallon, the number quickly adds up to an amount that very quickly becomes unfathomable. The danger if this is that the world is slowly but surely losing touch with what is being done, not only to our atmosphere, but the quality of life on earth. The US Government responds to its query regarding the Green Tax, by answering it with two other taxes currently being levied, which according to them cover both these bases.

Clean Air Act’s New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

This act was particularly brought to the fore in order to target those emitting toxic gases from a stationery position. Think factories and manufacturing plants, research laboratories and refineries. This, however, does nothing for the 254.6 million vehicles on the road, unless the car is cemented to the ground and kept running.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles

This is where the US seems to be winning environmental brownie points, however, when you dig deeper this does not really guarantee a cleaner and safer environment, as a lot of the act focuses on the fuel economy of vehicles. The Fuel economy is great for the environment; however, it does not solve the issue created by the emission of CO2 gas. CAFÉ does not address pollution directly, and more needs to be done.

Green Taxes yes or no?

Levying a tax on a fragile ecosystem is no way to save it, unless all the funds that come in from taxes will be used for creating other modes of transport where the emission of CO2 is not prevalent. More research is needed to improve current patents already busy exercised and tested, where the use of carbon fuels will not even be needed. Entrepreneurs, scientists and inventors need to be encouraged to find other modes of transport as opposed to just improve the existing economy. The resources on this planet are fragile and at an all-time low, and bureaucracy and red tape will not alleviate the situation. Only support and extensive research will, where the eye is not just making tonnes of profit, but more about creating a sustainable future. The ground work in terms of punishing people with taxes for emitting CO2 is not viable if there is no alternative. The exception to the rule, of course, would be typical gas guzzlers. Australia has already tried to implement Green Taxes, and have done so unsuccessfully. This unfavorable tax was brought to an end by the current Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. Unless it is carefully thought out and not just a way to fill the Treasury coffers, the success rate of Green Tax remains dubious.