Climate change is not…

Climate change is not something we can ignore - if we do, it will result in millions of deaths and trillions of dollars responding to emergencies, extreme weather changes, associated health impacts and impacts to our economy. Using a revenue-neutral market instrument to influence business and individual decisions to reduce GHG emissions is the most painless and effective way to achieve our goals in the Paris Agreement and reduce the long-term costs of climate change for future generations. It flabbergasts me why we are eliminating the cap and trade scheme, unless it is to replace it with a simpler carbon tax regime. How is this government planning to credibly and substantially reduce GHG emissions in a cost-effective manner, if not through a revenue-neutral market mechanism? Why is our government wasting taxpayer dollars fighting the federal carbon price regime in courts? I have not seen any evidence of a more effective plan in the wings. By repealing this act, this government is willing to ignore the very obvious disaster and pain our children and grandchildren will face from a changing climate if we do not act to substantially reduce GHG emissions in the next 5 years.