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ON FRIDAY, OPPOSITION parties and environmental NGOs gathered to call on the Government to pass legislation required to tackle the problem of climate change.
The group occupied the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment after handing a list of 22 demands, including the passage of three climate action bills currently before the Dáil, to Minister Richard Bruton.
The protest came days after Sir David Attenborough told a UN summit that the collapse of our civilizations and the extinction of much of the natural world was a significant threat.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan told the gathering that the tide was changing in how society viewed the problem of climate change.
“The issue of climate change has been there for thirty years, the issue of extinction and biodiversity loss has been there for fifty, but in the last few months the reality of it seems to be coming home to people,” he said.
“The tide of public perception is turning and we have to rise with it.”
Emissions targets
However, questions remain over how best to tackle the problem in Ireland.
Ireland is unlikely to meet EU de-carbonisation and renewable energy targets for 2020, which see renewables make up 16% of final energy use and 10% of energy in the transport sector.
Earlier this year, the Citizens’ Assembly heard that Ireland would need to introduce a carbon tax as much as €70 on coal, turf and other products to improve on its emissions targets.
Meanwhile in its report this year, the Climate Change Advisory Council also recommended raising carbon tax to €30 per tonne in Budget 2019, rising to €80 per tonne by 2030.
And yet, despite being suggested as a possibility the Taoiseach over the summer, the government held off on introducing it as part of Budget 2019.
Meanwhile in France, hundreds were arrested last weekend following widespread protests against president Emmanuel Macron’s proposed to increase fuel tax.
Tax incentive
But Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin tells TheJournal.ie that a version of the tax could not only be introduced here to curb emissions, but done so in a way that would also give back to households.
“What was done in France was completely wrong because much of the revenue that was generated was used to tackle the national deficit,” she said.
“It would have gathered €34bn from fuel taxes, but only €7.2bn of that was earmarked for environmental measures.”
Instead, Martin suggests that the Irish government should focus on providing better public transport services and incentivising the sale of electricity back to the national grid.
She also believes the government could introduce a carbon tax incentive, which would see Irish householders receive money from the Government for using below-average levels of fossil fuels.
By introducing an incentive where carbon emissions are taxed at €20 per tonne, rather than the current rate of €15 per tonne, the increased revenue would be returned to citizens in the form of a cheque for €200.
But others have suggested that Ireland’s emissions targets could be cut through more natural means.
According to Padraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust, the answer may lie in more efficient usage of the country’s land, rather than taxing individuals.
‘Needs nature’
“David Attenborough cleverly put together two problems, which are that there is a climate crisis and an extinction crisis,” he says.
“Tackling climate change really needs nature. You can do an awful lot in terms of meeting emissions targets through restoring bogs and forests and better managing our farmland.”
Instead of a tax, Fogarty suggests that carbon sinks should be created through re-wetting bogs and creating more woodland, while reducing the number of livestock in Ireland would cut methane emissions and eliminate pollution in Ireland’s rivers and lakes.
Whatever happens, it has become clear that the government needs to act sooner rather than later.
Concluding its annual report for 2018, the Climate Change Advisory Council said Ireland was “completely off course” in its commitments to address the problem.
By failing to act, it’s been suggested that the Government could see their policies reflected in the polls.
“I think there’s real momentum now for climate action,” Martin says.
“There’s a realisation that we’re not talking about our grandchildren or great-grandchildren any more; we’re talking about our children that are born now and the impact that humanity is having on our planet.”
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Irish government solution,let’s tax our way out of this global problem
@dick dastardly: If taxation has any effect on public polices then the Irish would be immortal living in the greenest utopia on the planet…
@dick dastardly: Tax is all we expect from our government in Ireland. The Irish people have never demanded services or action or any kind of forward thinking from their politicians.
@dick dastardly: I totally disagree with a carbon tax levied on everyone, because it had a hugely disproportionate negative effect on the poor and those in rural communities. But there will have to be some sort of carbon tax and people like you need to grow up and realise that you need to do your part. It is a global problem, but there will be no global solution, just innumerable individual actions. Our government needs to think about how it can tax us in a way that doesn’t strangle those on the breadline while barely affecting the richest in society, but taxes will have to come in some shape or form.
@Paddington C.: money won’t cure the problem, it’ll just be misdirected into the cronies pockets. Make the windfarms community owned and spend the profits in the communities. Sack current energy regulator and possible consider criminal investigation .
@Cathal: we’re not in disagreement there. There will have to be a joint up approach, and ome which creates a blanket carbon tax with no planning amd doesn’t give the momey back won’t help and it won’t create buy in from everybody. I like the idea about making wind farms community owned, that’s the sort of thing that needs to happen. People need to feel like they are gaining from this as well as sacrificing. But sacrifices have to be made. As for the energy regulator, I have no information on that, can’t comment on criminal charges.
@Paddington C.: why dont they just make travel on buses free, get people out of their cars, reduce our carbon bill all at the same time – everyone wins – the little folk at least will. This govt put tax upon tax on all of us and nothing seems to benefit us. As for doing our bit – tell that to China, the US because from what I can see they are damaging this planet a lot more than we are and without their partaking in this project we’re scuppered anyhow!!
@Lydia McLoughlin: I agree that people should be incentivised to take public transport, but free public transport needs to be paid for by something. And if you read what I’m saying you’ll see my whole point is that there needs to be a solution which doesn’t screw over the worst off in society. As for China and the US, there’s nothing you or I can do about that. You and I just need to do our part.
@dick dastardly: this Might be a pro active start which people may accept
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/05/luxembourg-to-become-first-country-to-make-all-public-transport-free
@dick dastardly: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/05/luxembourg-to-become-first-country-to-make-all-public-transport-free
This maybe a good starting point.
Consumerism is choking the planet. We are all guilty. Millions of tons of products are produced each year and sold to people that don’t really need them. Endless TV adverts, plastic packaging, DIY giants, German supermarket chains, toy stores all peddling cheap injection moulded tat in a throw away society where nothing is built to last. The product reviews insist that you must have the latest model with the new features and latest update. We are all programmed to feed big business. We believe economies must grow, have to grow and can only grow this way. That won’t stop and mostly what will happen is that things will just become more expensive.
@Sarah: I think we need to take example from the French minsters need smaller cars also using public transportation
@dick dastardly: And then sell our debt as a way to kick the can down the road for our grandchildren to pay as we overspend on our pals as the HSE is flushed down the drain…
@Paddington C.: we won’t, but we should protest as we dud against IW and as the French are now. Carbon taxes are a con – sending money to a slush fund won’t fix anything – and we’re idiots if we accept it. This had nothing to do with climate change- it’s just a cash generating scheme.
@Sarah: live in France and you will know what is to be taxed!
@Milk The Drones: data centers require massive amounts of energy, mostly fossil fuel and will push Irelands emissions way up. Carbon tax or no carbon tax. If you want to lower emissions then you’ve got to ban new data centers.
Allowing price increases despite much lower costs. Cartel type price increases and a blind eye turned.
@dick dastardly: let’s do nothing and let the children of today die of hunger. Selfishness is the reason that there’s no hope. “I don’t want to be negatively affected by any measures that might help the environment” iow I don’t really care
@Sarah: spot on you are 100 % glad to see people seeing that blame us and tax us for what it is ….force corporate companies to make products with less impact on our planet tax them if they don’t .. ban one use plastic we are the end user .. having extra tax for driving your car or turning on your light is not going to solve the problem
@Lydia McLoughlin: thats ok if you ACTUALLY have a bus service in your area – most of rural ireland does not any decent public transport – so people have no choice but to use cars .
Why always a tax, carbon tax is a gimmick to extract more money.. if we want people to stop using petrol/diesel cars, then make electric cars affordable and vastly improve the infrastructure..But that’s not good for government as drivers generate such big revenue. Provide alternatives and people will get on board but taxing the things people need to survive is not the way to go
@Birdy: tax is the way that governments raise money so that they can do things. That’s how countries work. There need to be taxes. However, you’re right, alternatives are also needed. And we can’t just levy another tax on the poorest people in Ireland and let the wealthiest off easy. Everyone needs to pull their weight in equal proportion to their ability. But there have to be taxes.
@Birdy: Electric cars are still in their infancy .it’ll be 10 to 15 years until they are developed enough.
@Paddington C.: Tax is not just about raising money, it is also used as a way to influence behavior!
@Paddington C.: “In equal proportion to their ability”
Sounds like”From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
@Paddington C.: you’re wrong- we have a bottomless pit of money into a health service that is the worst in the EU. Mone fixes nothing: and we should stop pouring it down the drain.
@John Smith: but if there is no alternative then it’s just a money raising excercise and pointless in terms of reducing carbon emissions
@Birdy: 100% agree
@Cathal: developed enough for what? Majority of drivers take pretty short journeys each day – poor car range is now 200km
@John Smith: raising taxes makes no difference if alternatives aren’t provided. Otherwise they are just an excuse for a money grab l.
@Birdy: did you read the article? It explains that the money should be ring fenced for investment in sustainable projects. How do you propose to pay for these ideas you are suggesting? Do you think that we can transition to a fossil fuel free future without negatively affecting your lifestyle? It comes down to selfishness in the end, too many people don’t want to change their lifestyles so future generations are doomed
Developed enough for what? They are in use successfully all over the world and in Ireland and are perfect for city driving and cost hardly anything to run. @Cathal:
@Birdy: 100%
@Marcus Briody: Hi Marcus, I would love to be part of a movement that moves to a greener more sustainable way of life. I’d stop using the car if the was transport to and from where I work. I’d gladly switch to an electric car if it was affordable for me and I could charge the car at work. This is not available and I can afford a new second hand car let alone an electric vehicle. If there were viable incentives to switch to greener energy sources, then the majority would avail of these but not paying huge extra taxes on things we now need to have. You say how are we going to pay for the ideas I suggested, well I don’t think I suggested much but couldn’t we use the money that we are going to give away in fines and use that the start making a difference.
How about massive grants for home insulation (and not the little grants that are available now), home solar/wind and electric cars?, surely this would make serious inroads into our carbon footprint if it was cheap to do so?
@Peter Hughes:
Who is going to pay for it?
@Peter Hughes: agreed with the grants but they need to find a way of not lining the contractors pockets. Any time a grant is announced the price to have that work done seems to shoot up by the grant amount.
@Peter Hughes: it definitely would. But there will need ti be carbon taxes to pay for it. A carbon tax which is returned to everybody as a universal payment is what really makes sense. And if you can work grants and allowances into that then all the better.
@Emachine:
Bullseye on that one, I discovered to my cost….
@Patrick Nolan: tax the vulture funds we need to be more outspoken and stop sitting down and been dictated to
@Geraldine Fenton:
All taxes, no matter who you levy them at , will eventually be paid by customers
@Patrick Nolan: use the money earmarked to be pay the massive EU fines!!!!!
@Patrick Nolan: The EU are paying for all the old communist style housing blocs here in Burgas Bulgaria to be insulated, have new windows fitted, balconies refurbished and incorporated into the rooms, roof tops insulated and repaired, new hall doors to the blocs. It’s all about energy conservation.
Can’t see older homes having the same done in Ireland. To many vested interests and cronies have to get their share first.
How about a different tax approach – like removing vat from insulation products and energy efficient boilers.
@Thomas Sheridan:
Again who is going to pay for it?
If people want tax incentives the revenue will have to be raised somewhere.
And only 10 years ago the diesels were the bees knees…..cutting the tax on petrol as opposed to raising it on diesel seems fair as an incentive to Hybrids etc. but thats a word that escapes the vocabulary of this Government it would seem…
@Johnny Tightlips: people were wrong about diesel. They were right in so far as diesel is better for the environment, the effect it had on humans just wasn’t understood. The information wasn’t all there, now it is and people know better. But the information is there that something radical needs to be done to prevent a climate catastrophe. Science isn’t going to unlearn that.
@Johnny Tightlips: Petrol engine’s put out more co2 which is bad for the atmosphere. Diesels don’t , and the new diesels and especially the next generation diesels will produce no nox. Mercedes invested around 3.5 billion in new diesel engine technology.
@brendan H:
By putting Renault engines in their cars???
@Paddington C.: if you believe that you’re an idiot. Mark my words, in 10 years time well have the same row about EV. They’re an even worse example of looting of mineral resources.
@Patrick Nolan: Renault engines, what are you on about??????.
@Paddington C.:that excuse is used for everything. ‘ the information was incorrect’… motorists, and Irish in general, pay enough tax.
@Johnny Tightlips: why would I buy a petrol car when I can’t claim the vat back on the fuel like I can on diesel?
I always laugh when I see these politicians and celebrities trot out their doomsday scenarios regarding climate change while driving around in gas guzzling SUVs, flying around in private jets and living in their massive energy consuming mansions? And the plebs continue to lap it up while begging for more taxes.
@Luke Lee: it’s climate scientists “trotting out” the doomsday scenarios, and those people are not going around in SUVs.
@Luke Lee: The problem is, the issue is not a laughing matter, but their antics are comical. Hypocrisy comes to mind.
@Paddington C.: Know them all do you?
@Luke Lee: yes
@Paddington C.: Fair enough!
@Paddington C.: it’s the media that exaggerate and twist what the scientosts say. For instance the scientists say we have 12 years to act and the media convert that to in 12 years the world will end. Meanwhile plenty other scientists completely disagree with the doomsday scientists but nobody wants to know what they have to say.
When are they going to realise, not everything can be fixed with a tax. They are taxing carbon but not putting anything significant in place as an alternative so people still need to drive fossil fuel vehicles, goods still need to be transported in diesel trucks, homes and businesses are still powered by coal gas peat. A carbon tax won’t change a damn thing, only piss people off and convince them it’s just a revenue raising exercise. How about significant investment in public transport (make it free) mobile people make money, invest heavily in electric transportation infrastructure because it is woefully under resourced. Fast track renewable energy projects, incentivise micro generation with decent feed in tariffs……OR……. stick a carbon tax on it and pat yourselves on the back.
@Emachine: but where does the extra revenue come from to make public transport free? If they created a huge carbon tax with assurance that every cent would go into creating a free and efficient public transport, that could make sense. But that screws over rural communities. You’re right that it’s not as simple as creating a carbon tax and saying job done, but it’s certainly a whole lot simpler with one than without.
@Emachine: 100%
here’s an idea, stop trying to paint an additional tax on the already overburdened workers as “for the children” and implying in a roundabout way that those who object are morally lazy or don’t care abut the environment.
How about increasing taxation on the multinational corporations who are a major cause of these problems to force THEM to come up with greener alternatives, AND while we’re at it get them to comply with EPA regulations (a lot of the larger, richer companies have their own “surveyors” on the payroll, handy that)- these are same corporations who in some instances prop up climate change deniers – or if the government insists on taxing the people then lay out their plan to re-route these taxes into green initiatives instead of into a common fund…of course that will never happen, we have bakers to pay back…
@Sarah:
Who will subsequently pass it on to their customers.
@Patrick Nolan: if it forces them to become greener I’ll be all for it. Climate change is a serious problem, I just don’t think an additional tax that won’t be used for anything but to pay down bad debt and pay public servants will be useful…
@Sarah: why do you always have to bring in public service being paid to work. As a well educated public servant kust retired I am p…eed off withb this. My pension is 155 euro PER MONTH. I worked hard while out there in your interest….the public. Make your argur without a cheap shot.
@Sarah: 100% well said
@Sarah: 100% well said
@Sarah: 100% well said
@acallkelly: Calm down, first off “why do you always” is that directed at me?
I’ve never mentioned public service pay before. I’m just pointing out that the revenue generated for a carbon tax should not be absorbed into the black hole of money that is the public service (HSE, transport, politicians, education, county councils etc), because ultimately it would achieve NOTHING in terms of making Ireland greener or more carbon neutral it would just make life that little more difficult for a lot of people already struggling (if you live in one of our “commuter belt” areas which are now apparently as far away as CAVAN if petrol prices go up again what are you going to do? Cycle? Walk? quit your job? move to Dublin? haha no you’ll just have to carry on… Get that chip off your shoulder.
@Sarah: sure the climate never changed before, oh wait it had always changed.
How many more taxes can they come up with
@Noreen Waters: Infinite if accepted from FFG ..
@Sean Higgins:
Yes, it’s called paying for things you use.
The alternative is higher income taxes where some people pay for everything and others for nothing
@Noreen Waters: As many as they like given enough time between each new tax creation, like putting a frog in cold water and then heating it slowly, the frog just never cops on then?
Nonsense fear mongering . If all the people in the world lived as densely as they do in Manhattan then we’d all fit in to New Zealand . To think we can emit enough co2 to affect the climate is an ideology based on no scientific evidence whatsoever , it’s based on predictive mathematical models that have been wrong for the last 30 years !
@lapsy pa: Wasnt the head of the climate change committee a railway mechanic?
@Cathal: Were they ? It’s a public transport anti car conspiracy ? Lol ! Bloody cod anyway
@lapsy pa: there’s fierce competition, but you’re probably the most dangerous person on here. You genuinely terrify me with some of the things you come out with.
@Paddington C.: I’ll take that as a compliment , thank you sheep bear !
@lapsy pa: I had no doubt that you’d take it as a compliment.
@Paddington C.: only factually correct thing you’ve ever foreseen
@lapsy pa:
Would you argue that the past 4 years have not been the hottest 4 years on record?
Or that CO2 ppm has not increased exponentially in the past couple decades?
Would you argue that ice caps are not melting at a terrifying rate?
These above statements are facts. It’s happening.
Never mind CO2 for a minute. The Global Warming potential of CH4 (methane) is 100 times that of CO2. Nitrous Oxides’ (N2O) is 298x. These gases have a huge impact.
Look at the impact ozone had a few years ago
Even if we’re wrong, what’s the harm in trying to help the planet?
If sea levels rise by 18 inches almost 2mil Irish people will be displaced. If you live with 20km of the coast, that definitely includes you. (Being conservative because it’s 3am and I’m too tired to consult my research papers)
@Criodán Ó Murchú: facts are totally irrelevant to him. He has a really good source of invented “alternative facts” which he can hit you with.
@Paddington C.: I know. I feel like this is a total waste of my time but I have to try and combat this
@Criodán Ó Murchú: Well you are wrong and not helping anyone , why dont you become a politician and lobby towards banning plastic packaging , you might be actually helping somebody rather than spewing out recycled garbage
@Criodán Ó Murchú: nowhere near the hottest on record as the records go back further than 50 years
@Criodán Ó Murchú: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2016/01/14/2015-was-not-even-close-to-hottest-year-on-record/#3f8c1f905539
@lapsy pa: Ah yes Forbes! Because scientifically relevant.
Here’s my counter:
http://www.climatecentral.org/gallery/graphics/the-10-hottest-global-years-on-record
Top 10 Hottest years (in descending order): 2016, 2015, 2017, 2014…..
Top 5 warmest years: All occurred in the 2010s
Top 10 ” “: All occurred since 1998
Top 20 ” “: All occurred since 1995.
That data above uses the exact same as Forbes did (NOAA) combined with NASAs data.
@lapsy pa:
And here’s another.
From the source of the Forbes article – NOAA
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201507
In this article is says, “The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for July 2015 was the highest for July in the 136-year period of record, at 0.81°C (1.46°F) above the 20thcentury average of 15.8°C (60.4°F), surpassing the previous record set in 1998 by 0.08°C (0.14°F).”
The Forbes article says that 1998 was hotter than 2015.
This is incorrect.
His own source says otherwise!
You don’t know what you are talking about.
@lapsy pa:
Funny, I do consider going in to politics but then I’d have to work with thick people like yourself. No thanks.
The records go back to at least 1880. I don’t know where you get the 50 year figure from.
I’m not spewing recycled garbage! That’s science. You say what’s correct.
Is it recycling rubbish if I say, the sun will come up tomorrow, the microwave will heat your food etc.
This is science. Evidence. I can only put it in so many words.
You cannot solve climate problems by taxing those that can’t afford it.
The French yellow vest movement should spread to Ireland.
We need to alleviate the tax burden on the lower & middle income earners not increase it.
We need to tackle climate change but not at the cost of pushing people to suicide, making them homeless and allowing the child poverty rates to grow further.
We need incentives not taxes.
Give not take!
Many with children and mortgages are squeezed too much as it is, the Greens are mainly well off yuppies that don’t see the deprivation suffered since 2007.
It’s easy to cycle if you are living close to work or can use public transport- these carbon taxes disproportionately attack those living in rural areas.
My yellow vest is at the ready….
A carbon tax is just another form of austerity. If you want to change anything then you change it, you don’t tax it as smoking and drinking can show by how it has no effect. All a carbon tax will do is allow TD’s to increase their own wages and pensions…
It’s truly amazing that all of these worldwide convocations to discuss climate change and global warming are always held in some palatial meeting place at various places in the world and the great & the good all fly in at enormous expense, treat themselves and are treated like royalty, put themselves up in the luxury hotels and discuss adnauseum how to reduce emissions etc.
I thought the United Nations was the forum set up to discuss global problems and arrive at solutions, obviously I’m mistaken, it would be too simple.
If our government were serious they would immediately introduce a countrywide insulation and recycle able energy policy supported by adequate grants which would be paid for by the carbon tax we would not have to pay for exceeding our targets.
@Liam Mernagh: Whilst I agree that more could be done, Agriculture actually contributes more CO2 to the atmosphere than transport.
Your quarter pounder is worth about 30 showers worth of clean water.
It’s also worth about 2kg of Green house Gases.
The diet of the people outweighs their transport choices.
The greatest hoax the world has ever known and FFG wanna blame farting cows here to see us freeze and cycle about as poor Irish for a clap on the back and massive money grab..
Wake up people..
Stop voting FFG ….
@Sean Higgins: dude, you’re the one living in a fantasy land choosing the things to believe in.
@Sean Higgins: want to look at some industries and see what is happening but the politicans see it as a white elephant
Hit the suppliers of oil and peat with carbon taxes and not the customers. There is no choice for us but for them they can change the way they supply electricity and oil.
@Niall Donnelly: the problem with that is they will pass the bill on to the end user. Tax just isn’t the answer to this problem, investment is.
@Emachine:
And the money for that investment will have to be raised somewhere else.
“Is Ireland ready for a carbon tax?” Isn’t there already a carbon tax that Was introduced a few years back?
To start with if the government was serious about global warming and curbing our carbon emissions they wouldn’t have allowed TFI spend €5m on diesel busses instead they could purchased hybrid busses plus another that will have to addresses is our reliance on fossil fuels we need to look at more wind and solar energy failing that nuclear ☢️
@In my opinion: oil is abiogenic , it will never run out
@lapsy pa: the overwhelming scientific evidence is that oil is not abiogenic. However, even if it were it could still run out. But oil running out isn’t really the worry, it’s the impossibility of life on earth continuing of we keep using oil the way we are that’s the primary concern.
@Paddington C.: @Paddington C.: when there is literally zero evidence that must mean overwhelming to you . The theory of fossil fuels can not be replicated as it is impossible , the only evidence is biological markers in the oil but experiments have proven that in cores drilled down a mile there is plenty of bacteria present . Where the real science is , is with the theory of abiogenic oil , it can and has been 100s of times proven and replicate in laboratories unlike its pseudo cousin . This has been published in peer reviewed journals since the fities , firstly in Russia then Canada , in the usa , in sweeen and in Norwegian laboratories . In the Gulf of Mexico they tapped directly into a high pressure fissure causing there “well” to explode , pressures that had never been experienced before whilst drilling and this is the simple part , because of the law of thermodynamics that has been proven a zillion times we know that energy moves to equilibrium , as in high pressure will move to low presssure , hot to cold ! rocks do not create high pressures , not even when tectonic plates collide are these sort of pressures realized and it was no tectonic plates interacting in the Gulf of Mexico , the oil that they tap into in these wells can not possibly have migrated to where they are because that would simply be impossible , they have come from a place of higher pressures as in the earths mantle , it is simply the only reasonable explanation . It’s all really simple you use empirical , replicatable data and logic . Science vs pseudoscience really .
@lapsy pa: is there some sort of Steve Bannon manual that you pull thos nonsense out of? Because if you were intelligent enough to come up with it you wouldn’t believe it. Or are you intelligent enough to come up with it and don’t believe it but like spreading it anyway? I think the first explanation is the most likely
@Paddington C.: Is Steve bannon a politician or something ? I’m just telling you facts and you’re just telling me it’s nonsense from your opinion . Hydrogen is basically streaming out of vents on the sea floor , it’s the most abundant element in the universe . Really simple facts you think Is nonsense . It’s hilarious to me people are like that and don’t question what people with money and who print the newspapers tell them to think .
How about we stop forcing people to buy new cars and keep the cars we have on the road. Tax won’t fix anything. The emissions produced by building new cars is crazy. Even a prius has it’s parts shipped from all around the world. Producing far more c02 then a prius reduces.
We pay far too much tax already. Everything is taxed but we just bend over and take it and instead complain to others who complain to us, we should start marching like what they’re doing in France until we get genuine responses from our elected officials. How about more funding for science and technology sectors who can provide solutions for this problem instead of taxing it and hoping it goes away by itself… the Irish way.
Its not the people’s fault, stop blaming the people
It’s the corporations,
Tax them for producing plastics and fuels that emit emissions,
They can well afford it.
People don’t want bins full of unnecessary plastic they have to pay for to be collect,
They don’t want to pay unrealistic taxes on fuel that the government make huge profits from.
It’s industry and government that’s the culprits here, not the people.
We need to pay for Leo’s lavish lifestyle and a pointless president.
0% carbon tax or any type of tax on Jet Fuel …. start with Jet Fuel Carbon and VAT Tax.
The Germans should pay the tax on Irish beef … they (consumer) eat it.
Gov. remember all tax must be fair … or else you get Yellow Vests!
No 2-Tier Taxes
No Regressive Taxes
No Taxes on “Life Essentials” (basic needs in the hierarchy of needs)
… basic needs like food, cloths, water, shelter, getting to work!
… food (beef) comes from cows!! – hello – you cant tax food.
In a word. No. Although with the fine gaulers track record they’ll try and we’ll have our own yellow vest revolution..
How’s about you tackle the issue at source rather than tax your way out if it which won’t work
We’re a tiny pimple on the Globe’s bum when it comes to overall greenhouse emissions
and there is no rational reason why we should impoverish our working class by middle class (when I was at Uni) yuppie meanderings about reducing our greenhouse gasses and cruel those striving to make ends meet living from one pay package to the next so that our well heeled taxpayer sponsored climate change gurus (in Hugo Boss & Prada) can skite about what we are doing in Paddyland at international Greenie talkfests in a feeble attempt to make a hair on the dog’s tail wag the dog!
Have a look at what greenhouse gases we are producing as a %age of world emissions”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_greenhouse_gas_emissions
We could all lie down and die and the maximum effect that that would have on greenhouse emissions is 0.13% (I’ll say that again: 0.13%)
China produces over 25% of world while we produce a measly 0.13%!
And the Chinese are sneaking around targeting the buyout of our prime farms, racing stables, agribusinesses and IT companies ! We are running around with our noses up our asses while the Chinese have their hands in our hip pockets.
What are we?
MM
@Moorooka Mick:
Lapsed God Botherers seem to have morphed into “Save the World ‘ climate gurus.
and working class Irish just wish that they would go back to God Bothering so that
God can save the world; not the hard earned cash of decent hard working people.
I wonder are the Indians or Chinese or other emerging countries paying a carbon tax while there industry is belching out smoke like the product testing department of silk cut purple or America going to introduce it or will Macron dare mention it for fear or being lynched.
The tax dodgers (vulture funds, Dinny Redacted, etc)
Unfortunately most Irish people will not agree to carbon tax, as much as it is needed, because of the huge double taxation system in the Republic.
@Gerard McCarthy: we already pay carbon tax. The Government’s 2010 Finance Bill introduced a carbon tax which is applied to mineral oils, natural gas and solid fuels supplied for combustion inIreland. Since 1st May 2012, the tax for natural gas has been increased from €15 to €20 per tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted.
@Gerard McCarthy: tax corporations not the people .. other wise it’s just another tax an mean nothing to climate
@Gerard McCarthy: what do you mean “unfortunately” ? You’re completely out if step on that one. It is not needed and is only going to create more and worse austerity. It will fix nothing bar feathering a few vested interests bank accounts.
Yet another scam. Carbon tax is a money making racket.
Petrol is already 70% tax… Why not rename that carbon tax and leave the price alone.
Tonns of free methaine gas on cattle farms, main culprit in this saga. It can be harvested and used as a natural free heating sourse, and power sourse..problem solved
As long as the other guy pays, then he’ll yes.
Tax the corporations not the people .. other wise it’s just another tax on people nothing more
If the government wants us to change these are the main decisions it must take
1-solar panels with true grants and not the mickey mouse one for all houses old and new
2-electric cars:at the same price or lower than the small cheapest one using unleaded petrol
3-stations for electric cars all around towns, cities and refilling Stations
4-true big grants for house insulation and modern triple glazing windows
5-true big grant for multi fuel stove with back boiler once the oil boiler has to be changed
6-more wind Mills, and the likes
Do you see any thing like that coming?
@Andre le Flohic: not bloody likely — 2 years ago we had out house done up by the local council — the only heating in the house prior to this was an old coal fire in the living room – we had to use electric oil filled radiators to heat the rest of the house – the bills were enormous . so while the surveyor from the council was ‘discussing ‘with us what improvements would be made ,i mentioned having solar panels put on the roof to run the heating and hot water , our house is built on an ‘east to west’ site – we get good levels of sun all day -plenty to produce enough energy to run the heating and water — no chance — instead we got a new oil fired boiler – a new oil tank -radiators and pipework – costing almost as much as the solar panels would have done !! we queried the cost difference and we were told – there is ‘no incentive’ for the l.a to instal solar over oil !!
Carbon taxes should be for the wealthy, those making their profits from massive multiple factories in multiple countries, and airlines, why don’t they pay tax on fuel?
Wouldnt it be far more sensible to take cars off the road by putting buses and park’n'rides on commuter routes? All those commuters driving to dublin from wrxford, wicklow. longford leitrim , mullingar kildare louth meath . Or what about —decentralisation!!! so people dont have to travel silly distances
@Helen M Fitzsimons: didnt ff try decentralisation a few years back – unions and public service staff k.b’d it !
The problem with Climate change IS MAN MADE, only not as we think, it’s now a well known fact that the Chinese controlled the weather during the Beijing Olympics opening Cermony, that was the first time I heard of Climate control, the most obvious was Hurricaine Ali, Hurricaines just don’t head north into colder climate, Let the truth be known, and why isn’t there anything in place to harvest all this extra wind and Sunshine & turn it into energy? Free fuel for all, TAX FREE
It’s about giving is the opportunities to take action not another tax. More about packaging from suppliers and education on renewable being the norm and upcycling. So many simple things we did years ago returning bottles using the family shopping bag or trolley. Bus services in comparison seemed alot cheaper back then. Not as many homeless either as they were big social housing projects. Bin collections were free too. Progess?!!
This is our world. So this is our problem. We have to fix it so that there is still gonna be a world for our descendents. Tax will be part of the fix. Hopefully then, grants can be awarded to the population to improve their fuel usage. This is gonna happen. Sooner the better because we are running out of time.
Ring Siemens or Alstom and ask for a quote for a nuclear power plant that could power the wider Paris region including completely electrified transport and job done.
@Steven Moens: won’t happen – not unless d.o.b. can get in on the act !
Ho is another tax going to solve anything – let the state get it’s house in order first – better cheaper public transport? no our clowns want to privatise – Electricity generation from green energy – no sure peat and coal is fine – FFS – lets raise tax so people already suffering can’t heat their houses and have to walk to work – F OFF
Rip off republic. I’m never coming back
Another excuse to Tax the Public, nothing More than a smoke screen, why don’t they force companies to use glass bottles and Paper carrier bags instead of single use Plastic, knowing full well it takes Hundreds of years for plastic to break down, concerned about the environment my ass
Yes to carbon taxes. But ONLY if the revenues are locked solidly into a ring fenced fund to promote green alternatives. Otherwise they can shove it, that would be a tax scam.
Taxes won’t save the planet. Investing in clean energy will. We need more density in wind arms and more of them and we need grants to install PVE systems on our homes. We need to change over to electric cars. Until we do that we’re just peeing in the wind. All a carbon tax does is swell government coffers? How does that save the planet?? It just pushes the problem around the board but it won’t save one animal.
This issue is so huge it can only be tackled at an international level through the cooperation of the worlds governments. Conspiracy theory anyone?
Would we not be better introducing radical measures to radically reduce carbon emissions rather than simply raising revenue with a carbon tax that doesn’t reduce emissions?? Eg. Carbon tax on fuel won’t stop driving into Dublin City… ban all non electric cars from entering Dublin City would. Take the fines we’re about to be hit with from EU and spend that money on a diesel to Electric car swap scheme
Its about tax and thats all, if it was about carbon diesel cars in particular should stop being sold even as private cars for starters, that’s the best way to cut down diesel emissions…
But no, instead keep selling them so gov’s can cream years and years of extortionate tax from the average joe… Couldn’t go upsetting the major companies instead lump it on the people…
Its all wrong and wont be taken on board by people unless we see some action like this at the top of the pile…
There has to be developments out there to reduce diesel emissions as there was for petrol until electric cars become more efficient. This could be an inbetween measure.
No problem paying a tax once is effective for its purpose. Not just tax for name sake. What did the co tax on private cars in 2008 do only penalise the people who can’t afford new cars
A carbon tax will not work. Sure, it will increase govt revenue but they won’t spend it on developing renewables. People will pay the tax and carry on putting petrol in their cars and heating their homes. Wind, wave and solar power are the only way to go. Not peat. Not oil.
Waste time for carbon tax credit s world already damage plastic pollution in sea & air pollution. Bullshit Government carbon tax
Tax tax tax. Sure most tax collected doesn’t go to the area it’s supposed to go. Just another way of us paying more and more in our welfare state… we are so ripped off in this country. High rent, high house prices, high child care costs, high car insurance, house tax, property tax, inheritance tax…. when does it stop!
All the people here who are complaining will be the same ones giving out when we start seeing food shortages. You don’t want any trouble now when a little now will make it far less uncomfortable in the near future
The planet is doomed and it will be because of the attitude of the people commenting here. All the people who are saying no to this are basically saying that they don’t want any negative effects on their lives now and will be the same people giving out when there are food shortages in the future.
It really comes down to selfishness, I suspect that a lot of you commenting here drive unnecessarily large cars and make one too many flights abroad and just don’t want to take action that might mean that you waste less energy. The response to this only increases my belief that there are not enough people who care for their to be any hope. Who cares that hundreds of thousands of people in the third world are already dying annually from droughts caused by climate change, definitely not you lot https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/26/were-doomed-mayer-hillman-on-the-climate-reality-no-one-else-will-dare-mention
Soon we’ll be fighting over the last clean water and the last tree. It’s happening now.
have your say