By James Brodell

There is a vast gulf in opinions about the changing climate.

On one hand, even children are picking up the banner demanding action, some in a manner that approaches near hysteria.

On the other, many say that the climate has been relatively stable for at least a decade and that predictions of weather damage from higher temperatures have not proved true.

Vice President Epsy Campbell Barr was consistent with her government's position when she told a group of students last week:

“Climate change is not an opinion. It is factual data, scientifically proven. Each rising degree subtracts from our possibilities of permanence and survival on this planet, it increases poverty, inequity, migration, and sickness. Costa Rica is committed to create a wider platform for these solutions designed by youth to be amplified. We call upon other governments to join us. It is our responsibility to support their efforts, because they are the shining generation.” She was quoted by the United Nations Children's Fund in a news release.

The vice president  echoed the more hysterical claims of Grete Thunberg, who 16-year-old Swedish girl who told the United Nations in New York “You have stolen my dreams . . . my childhood.” She has triggered many protests by young people worldwide.

The opinion that the science of climate is settled is widespread, and some researchers who disagree have chosen to remain silent to avoid retribution. The truth is that no one knows exactly how much emissions of carbon dioxide and other so-called greenhouse gases affect the climate. The carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere is now about 410 parts per million. Still there has not been dramatic increases in bad weather, even though the mass media is full of stories about vanishing glaciers and thinning arctic ice. Climate records show that the warmest recent period in the United States was in the Dust Bowl years of the 1930s when carbon concentrations were far lower.

Costa Rica has so many climates that citing average temperatures is difficult.

Chinese scientists at Peking University just predicted the end in a few decades of a 500-year warming cycle and said polar ice is due to thicken and the sea level will lower. They also said that colder weather historically has been bad news for civilizations.

The obvious question is then what is the impetus behind the big push by governments and the United Nations on carbon dioxide when evidence of negative impact is scarce?

The answer may be that governments see carbon taxation as the next windfall.

Costa Rica is struggling to make political changes in order to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. That international organization plans a release Tuesday of a new report on taxing energy use and how taxes may be used for climate action. Said the organization:

“Well-designed systems of energy taxation encourage citizens and investors to favor clean over polluting energy sources. In particular, fuel excise and carbon taxes are simple and cost-effective tools to curb dangerous climate change. Energy and carbon taxes also contribute to limiting health damage from local pollution. 'Taxing Energy Use (TEU) 2019' presents a snapshot of where countries stand in deploying energy and carbon taxes, tracks progress made, and makes actionable recommendations on how governments could do better. The report contains new and original data on energy and carbon taxes in OECD and G20 countries, and in international aviation and maritime transport.”

In a September press release the organization expanded on this theme:

“Taxes on road fuel are relatively high yet rarely fully reflect the cost of environmental harm, especially with some road transport sectors offered preferential rates. Taxes on coal – which is behind almost half of CO2 emissions from energy – are zero or close to zero in most countries. Taxes are often higher on natural gas, which is cleaner. For international flights and shipping, fuel taxes are zero, meaning long-haul frequent flyers and cargo shipping firms are not paying their fair share.” 

The organization is the same entity that maintains a blacklist of countries that do not swap tax information on citizens and investors.

The issue of taxation is certain to be a major topic when the United Nations hosts another climate conference in December in Chile. A meeting in San José last week was a preview of the session. Attendees were reported demanding more aggressive action.

Costa Rica is well positioned to enact some form of carbon tax. The government has decided to seek carbon neutrality with its policies, and electrical use is being promoted for vehicles and trains. Already in place is a company that can measure the carbon footprint of factories and other commercial operations. The country also has policies that set aside private lands for tree growth and carbon sequestration.

In Costa Rica and elsewhere in the world some firms show their environmental awareness by paying a voluntary tax to offset carbon production in various ways.

“ Taxing Energy Use 2019” will be released in conjunction with a live web presentation in Paris at 8 a.m. Costa Rican time Tuesday. The event is supposed to last an hour with time for questions.


---------------------
Editor's note: Mr. Brodell, founder and former long-time editor of A.M. Costa Rica, can be reached at jay@amcostarica.com

---

---

---

---