Changes

The '''carbon footprint''' is the alleged measurement of [[carbon dioxide]] (C0₂) from human activities that supposedly have an impact on [[climate change]], notably the burning of [[fossil fuels]] that release [[greenhouse gases]] into the atmosphere. Typically, one's so-called carbon footprint is calculated by evaluating the amount of time a person spends traveling in various vehicles; how much electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, etc. they use in their home; what they do, eat, wear, and buy; whether or not they practice [[environmentalism]] (e.g. [[recycling]]); and what country they live in. This calculation is then used to determine what someone has to do to "offset" their carbon footprint. This almost always involves paying exorbitant amounts of money to companies that supposedly plant trees or build alternate energy producing facilities. Liberal politicians have trumpeted the imposition of [[carbon cap]]s and carbon-trading, in order to control the carbon footprints of companies and people, yet this "carbon currency" cannot be logistically implemented and lends itself to rampant abuse.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18180878/ MSNBC] Devil is in details of carbon cap system</ref>

The '''carbon footprint''' is the alleged measurement of [[carbon dioxide]] (CO₂) from human activities that supposedly have an impact on [[climate change]], notably the burning of [[fossil fuels]] that release [[greenhouse gases]] into the atmosphere. Typically, one's so-called carbon footprint is calculated by evaluating the amount of time a person spends traveling in various vehicles; how much electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, etc. they use in their home; what they do, eat, wear, and buy; whether or not they practice [[environmentalism]] (e.g. [[recycling]]); and what country they live in. This calculation is then used to determine what someone has to do to "offset" their carbon footprint. This almost always involves paying exorbitant amounts of money to companies that supposedly plant trees or build alternate energy producing facilities.

===Human Intervention===

===Human Intervention===

The [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] produced a report for the [[International Energy Agency]] (IEA) which states that the price for reducing human C0₂ 50% by the year 2050 will cost an estimated $45 trillion dollars or ''1.1 per cent of average annual global [[GDP]]''.<ref>[http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2218500/iea-calls-trillion-energy], Businessgreen.com, IEA calls for $45 trillion energy "revolution", June 6, 2008</ref>

Liberal politicians have trumpeted the imposition of [[carbon cap]]s and carbon-trading, in order to control the carbon footprints of companies and people. Although carbon cap-and-trade schemes are being implemented to certain extents and with some measured success in New Zealand<ref>New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. "Emissions Trading Fast Facts." September, 2008. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/emissions-factsheets/index.html</ref><ref>New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. "Summary of the proposed changes to NZ-ETS. September 2009. http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/emissions-trading-bulletin-11/index.html</ref> and in the European Union<ref>Parker, Larry. <i>Climate Change: The European Union's Emissions Trading System</i>. July 31, 2006. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/70317.pdf</ref>, and a similar, successful program for [[sulfur dioxide]] and nitrogen oxides was implemented in the U.S. under President [[George H.W. Bush]] as an amendment to the [[Clean Air Act]]<ref>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Acid Rain Program 2007 Progress Report." http://www.epa.gov/airmarkt/progress/arp07.html</ref>, a "carbon currency" in the U.S. still has many logistical hurdles and has the potential for abuse.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18180878/ MSNBC] Devil is in details of carbon cap system</ref>

Detractors argue that C0₂ is just a tiny component of the overall mechanisms that causes the climate to change. Human driven C0₂ is even less a component. <ref>[http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/1489], CFP, Medieval Environmentalists’ attack CO², January21, 2008</ref>

 

Detractors argue that CO₂ is just a tiny component of the overall mechanisms that causes the climate to change. Human driven CO₂ is even less a component. <ref>[http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/1489], CFP, Medieval Environmentalists’ attack CO₂, January21, 2008</ref>

==References==

==References==