Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0009
G. Metcalf
This chapter addresses common objections to a carbon tax including whether the science is settled enough to put a price on greenhouse gas emissions, whether the tax will hurt economic growth, or whether the tax will kill jobs. It dispels a number of myths about climate policy and coal mining while making the case for providing transitional relief to coal miners and other groups particularly hard hit by the tax. It also discusses how the tax can be designed to ensure that long-term emission reduction goals are met.
{"title":"Objections to a Carbon Tax","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0009","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter addresses common objections to a carbon tax including whether the science is settled enough to put a price on greenhouse gas emissions, whether the tax will hurt economic growth, or whether the tax will kill jobs. It dispels a number of myths about climate policy and coal mining while making the case for providing transitional relief to coal miners and other groups particularly hard hit by the tax. It also discusses how the tax can be designed to ensure that long-term emission reduction goals are met.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129007745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0002
G. Metcalf
Droughts, floods, soaring temperatures, sea-level rise, and melting ice are just some of the damages brought about by climate change. Chapter 1 details the cost of our failure to cut our emissions, from crop-destroying droughts to devastating floods. It also documents the inexorable build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as demonstrated by the Keeling curve and observations from Antarctic ice core samples. The chapter then provides a brief history of the science linking the build-up of atmospheric greenhouse gases and climate damages.
{"title":"Climate Change: What’s the Big Deal?","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0002","url":null,"abstract":"Droughts, floods, soaring temperatures, sea-level rise, and melting ice are just some of the damages brought about by climate change. Chapter 1 details the cost of our failure to cut our emissions, from crop-destroying droughts to devastating floods. It also documents the inexorable build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as demonstrated by the Keeling curve and observations from Antarctic ice core samples. The chapter then provides a brief history of the science linking the build-up of atmospheric greenhouse gases and climate damages.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132758299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0007
G. Metcalf
This chapter discusses how economists measure the burden of a carbon tax—which households have less spending power because of the tax. It also discusses fairness in the tax code and how the revenue, which can be substantial, from a carbon tax can be returned to households and businesses in ways that enhance the fairness and efficiency of the overall tax system. A common belief is that a carbon tax is regressive—that it disproportionately burdens poor households. Studies discussed in this chapter refute this belief and argue that judicious use of the carbon tax revenue can make a carbon tax reform (tax and return of the revenue) even more progressive.
{"title":"What to Do with $200 Billion: Give It Back","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0007","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter discusses how economists measure the burden of a carbon tax—which households have less spending power because of the tax. It also discusses fairness in the tax code and how the revenue, which can be substantial, from a carbon tax can be returned to households and businesses in ways that enhance the fairness and efficiency of the overall tax system. A common belief is that a carbon tax is regressive—that it disproportionately burdens poor households. Studies discussed in this chapter refute this belief and argue that judicious use of the carbon tax revenue can make a carbon tax reform (tax and return of the revenue) even more progressive.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"68 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116307570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0008
G. Metcalf
This chapter reviews the nuts and bolts of implementing a carbon tax. Invoking principles of administrative simplicity, ease of compliance, and avoidance of design features that dilute the price signal, it gives practical advice on who should be responsible for collecting the tax and remitting it to the government. It explains how the tax should handle the possibility that we can capture and permanently store carbon dioxide emissions and how we should tax emissions related to internationally traded goods so the United States is not disadvantaged in global trade. Finally, it identifies, and warns policymakers away from, various pitfalls in carbon tax design.
{"title":"So You Want a Carbon Tax: How Do You Design It?","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0008","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter reviews the nuts and bolts of implementing a carbon tax. Invoking principles of administrative simplicity, ease of compliance, and avoidance of design features that dilute the price signal, it gives practical advice on who should be responsible for collecting the tax and remitting it to the government. It explains how the tax should handle the possibility that we can capture and permanently store carbon dioxide emissions and how we should tax emissions related to internationally traded goods so the United States is not disadvantaged in global trade. Finally, it identifies, and warns policymakers away from, various pitfalls in carbon tax design.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"63 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125474825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0003
G. Metcalf
This chapter describes the additional damages we will face if we don’t cut our carbon pollution. More frequent occurrences of extreme weather will cause more damages. We will also have to pay for stronger climate-proof infrastructure to adapt to new weather conditions and change our lifestyles to stay out of harm’s way. The chapter also addresses the uncertainties of climate change and suggests a way for climate skeptics to think about climate change. The example of Pascal’s Wager is used to illustrate why it is riskier not to act on climate change even in the face of uncertainty about the magnitude of the damages.
{"title":"Business as Usual: What Are the Costs?","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0003","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter describes the additional damages we will face if we don’t cut our carbon pollution. More frequent occurrences of extreme weather will cause more damages. We will also have to pay for stronger climate-proof infrastructure to adapt to new weather conditions and change our lifestyles to stay out of harm’s way. The chapter also addresses the uncertainties of climate change and suggests a way for climate skeptics to think about climate change. The example of Pascal’s Wager is used to illustrate why it is riskier not to act on climate change even in the face of uncertainty about the magnitude of the damages.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126365817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0010
G. Metcalf
The final chapter lays out a policy framework for building political support to enact a carbon tax. The framework can focus policymakers on the task at hand and instill discipline in the legislative process. The carbon tax should be revenue neutral, contribute to fairness in the tax system, streamline climate policy, and lead to significant emission reductions over time. The chapter goes on to explain why those are key elements of a policy framework through which bipartisan support for a carbon tax could be possible.
{"title":"Enacting a Carbon Tax: How Do We Get There?","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0010","url":null,"abstract":"The final chapter lays out a policy framework for building political support to enact a carbon tax. The framework can focus policymakers on the task at hand and instill discipline in the legislative process. The carbon tax should be revenue neutral, contribute to fairness in the tax system, streamline climate policy, and lead to significant emission reductions over time. The chapter goes on to explain why those are key elements of a policy framework through which bipartisan support for a carbon tax could be possible.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"117 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122451632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0001
G. Metcalf
The introduction provides an overview of the argument of the book that climate change has real costs we are paying right now. Greenhouse emissions are changing our climate and our current policies are inadequate to the task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A carbon tax uses the power of the market to reduce emissions without onerous regulations. It uses the power of market forces to reduce emissions without burdening businesses with paperwork and red tape. As such, it should have bipartisan appeal.
{"title":"Introduction: Why This Book?","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0001","url":null,"abstract":"The introduction provides an overview of the argument of the book that climate change has real costs we are paying right now. Greenhouse emissions are changing our climate and our current policies are inadequate to the task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A carbon tax uses the power of the market to reduce emissions without onerous regulations. It uses the power of market forces to reduce emissions without burdening businesses with paperwork and red tape. As such, it should have bipartisan appeal.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124962564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0006
G. Metcalf
This chapter reviews another way to put a price on pollution: establishing a cap and trade program. It describes what cap and trade is, how it puts a price on pollution, and its use around the world. The chapter then goes on to make a case for why a carbon tax is a better approach than cap and trade for pricing carbon pollution in the United States. While either cap and trade or a carbon tax is preferable to the other options discussed in chapter 4, a carbon tax still has significant advantages over cap and trade.
{"title":"Cap and Trade: The Other Way to Price Pollution","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0006","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter reviews another way to put a price on pollution: establishing a cap and trade program. It describes what cap and trade is, how it puts a price on pollution, and its use around the world. The chapter then goes on to make a case for why a carbon tax is a better approach than cap and trade for pricing carbon pollution in the United States. While either cap and trade or a carbon tax is preferable to the other options discussed in chapter 4, a carbon tax still has significant advantages over cap and trade.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"11 4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131692645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0004
G. Metcalf
In non-technical language, the chapter explains why economists favor putting a price on pollution as the least expensive way to cut pollution to its socially optimal level. Using a pollution example from nineteenth-century British law made famous by the Chicago economist Ronald Coase, the chapter lays out the principles for good environmental policy and shows how a carbon tax fits with those principles. It introduces Arthur C. Pigou, an early twentieth-century economist who saw that a tax on pollution could use the power of the market to solve the pollution problem. It then demonstrates that carbon taxes in British Columbia and Sweden have not harmed their economies but have helped reduce carbon pollution.
用非技术语言，本章解释了为什么经济学家倾向于给污染定价，因为这是将污染减少到社会最优水平的最便宜的方法。本章以19世纪英国污染法为例，阐述了良好环境政策的原则，并展示了碳税如何符合这些原则。该书介绍了20世纪早期的经济学家阿瑟·庇古(Arthur C. Pigou)，他认为对污染征税可以利用市场的力量来解决污染问题。然后，它证明了不列颠哥伦比亚省和瑞典的碳税并没有损害他们的经济，而是帮助减少了碳污染。
{"title":"Why Do Economists Like a Carbon Tax?","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190694197.003.0004","url":null,"abstract":"In non-technical language, the chapter explains why economists favor putting a price on pollution as the least expensive way to cut pollution to its socially optimal level. Using a pollution example from nineteenth-century British law made famous by the Chicago economist Ronald Coase, the chapter lays out the principles for good environmental policy and shows how a carbon tax fits with those principles. It introduces Arthur C. Pigou, an early twentieth-century economist who saw that a tax on pollution could use the power of the market to solve the pollution problem. It then demonstrates that carbon taxes in British Columbia and Sweden have not harmed their economies but have helped reduce carbon pollution.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"37 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117263750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-01-09DOI: 10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0005
G. Metcalf
This chapter reviews alternative approaches to putting a price on pollution to control greenhouse gas emissions. It reviews the history of the Clean Air Act and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and demonstrates that these policies cut pollution at a much higher cost than by simply putting a price on pollution. It also reviews subsidies for clean energy, state-level renewable portfolio standards, and information and voluntary programs and demonstrates that a carbon tax is superior to any of these alternatives.
{"title":"Isn’t There a Better Way? (No, There Isn’t)","authors":"G. Metcalf","doi":"10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/OSO/9780190694197.003.0005","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter reviews alternative approaches to putting a price on pollution to control greenhouse gas emissions. It reviews the history of the Clean Air Act and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and demonstrates that these policies cut pollution at a much higher cost than by simply putting a price on pollution. It also reviews subsidies for clean energy, state-level renewable portfolio standards, and information and voluntary programs and demonstrates that a carbon tax is superior to any of these alternatives.","PeriodicalId":275101,"journal":{"name":"Paying for Pollution","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132977398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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