Unpopular Opinion: I’m Glad Gas Prices Are Rising
Carbon Tax vs Arson Subsidies in an economic battle royale over civilization’s survival.
In chapter one of every Introduction to Economics textbook on the planet, it explains the fundamental idea of a price signal. Prices affect consumer behaviour. If you own a movie theatre, you’ll fill more seats if tickets only cost five dollars than if you crank them up to $50. It’s not hard to understand.
This behaviour is why we have what are sometimes referred to as “sin taxes.” In Canada, where health care is publicly funded and universally delivered (because you get better care more cheaply that way every single time), the public cost of lung cancer treatment for smokers is significant. Sin taxes on cigarette sales raise the cost of the habit. Smoking rates resultingly go down. Discouraging smoking saves money and improves public health.
That’s the whole point.
Economists demand climate action, too.
95% of economists agree that we have to urgently cut emissions to maintain global economic stability. 60 central banks from around the world agree that climate change is a clear and present danger to our entire financial system. The International Monetary Fund agrees with them.
