Yes the government should. Besides according to Al gore environmentalist are the superior race. Toyota would be glad to accommodate some slaves at their factories. The environmentalist then could afford hybrids and solar panels easier then, because of the lower production costs. Then they could enjoy the roads of the Al gore Nation kept clean by the “ignorant” slaves. Finally the whole world will be populated by Global Warming freaks and their Solar Panel plantations.
No. Telling people what they have to build or buy is not the government’s role.
There’s a few ways the government can do something positive without dictating or “enslaving” people: Firstly, manage the markets, and stop distorting the market by subsidizing fossil fuels (e.g. through subsidies and tax breaks for oil exploration). They could put a tax on carbon, or do an “auction, cap and trade” scheme. It wouldn’t have to be much before it made people stop and think about their choices as consumers. And very importantly, it still leaves people the right to do what they want.
Since efficient markets depend on information (one of the basic economic principles of markets is that everyone has access to information) they could make sure that everyone has access to information on the environmental impact of what they do – and how that affects their hip pocket. They could publish pamphlets and publicize websites. Since so many new homes are designed badly, they could make sure all new home buyers are given information about what to look for in terms of passive solar design (big eaves, orientation of the windows etc), and how it will affect comfort, and heating and cooling bills. That’s a small imposition on real estate agents etc to pass on this information – a very light burden and much better than telling people what they have to buy or build.
Above all they could make sure people know about the things we can do that *don’t* cost money, but actually save money, and in some cases improve your quality of life. Solar hot water can save you money in the long run. A house that’s designed with passive solar in mind is *much* more pleasant to be in than a house that’s freezing in winter and/or sweltering in summer. I’ve put some of my thoughts together on this at – that page can be edited, so input welcome!
(Incidentally, I’ve answered all this from the perspective of “what the government should do” since that was the way the question was framed – but we don’t have to wait for government before making our own decisions to save energy, save money, and have a better life.)
April 8th, 2009 at 9:34 am
By using the word “enslave”, you haven’t make a prejudiced question. It is obvious what you think from the language you use.
April 9th, 2009 at 3:55 am
PEOPLE ARE BETTER THAN THE ENVIRONMENT! JUST BECAUSE WE ARE INTELLIGENT MEANS THAT WE ARE WORTH MORE THAN EVERY OTHER SPECIES COMBINED!!
April 12th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Yes the government should. Besides according to Al gore environmentalist are the superior race. Toyota would be glad to accommodate some slaves at their factories. The environmentalist then could afford hybrids and solar panels easier then, because of the lower production costs. Then they could enjoy the roads of the Al gore Nation kept clean by the “ignorant” slaves. Finally the whole world will be populated by Global Warming freaks and their Solar Panel plantations.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Nope read the 13 amendment to the Constitution.
April 19th, 2009 at 8:42 am
No. Telling people what they have to build or buy is not the government’s role.
There’s a few ways the government can do something positive without dictating or “enslaving” people: Firstly, manage the markets, and stop distorting the market by subsidizing fossil fuels (e.g. through subsidies and tax breaks for oil exploration). They could put a tax on carbon, or do an “auction, cap and trade” scheme. It wouldn’t have to be much before it made people stop and think about their choices as consumers. And very importantly, it still leaves people the right to do what they want.
Since efficient markets depend on information (one of the basic economic principles of markets is that everyone has access to information) they could make sure that everyone has access to information on the environmental impact of what they do – and how that affects their hip pocket. They could publish pamphlets and publicize websites. Since so many new homes are designed badly, they could make sure all new home buyers are given information about what to look for in terms of passive solar design (big eaves, orientation of the windows etc), and how it will affect comfort, and heating and cooling bills. That’s a small imposition on real estate agents etc to pass on this information – a very light burden and much better than telling people what they have to buy or build.
Above all they could make sure people know about the things we can do that *don’t* cost money, but actually save money, and in some cases improve your quality of life. Solar hot water can save you money in the long run. A house that’s designed with passive solar in mind is *much* more pleasant to be in than a house that’s freezing in winter and/or sweltering in summer. I’ve put some of my thoughts together on this at – that page can be edited, so input welcome!
(Incidentally, I’ve answered all this from the perspective of “what the government should do” since that was the way the question was framed – but we don’t have to wait for government before making our own decisions to save energy, save money, and have a better life.)