Hello Steve,

SA> Every individual in Britain could be issued with a 
SA> "personal carbon allowance" - a form of energy rationing - 
SA> within a decade, under proposals being considered seriously 
SA> by the Government.

...

SA> Under the scheme for "domestic tradeable quotas" (DTQs), or 
SA> personal carbon allowances, presented to the Treasury this 
SA> week, everyone - from the Queen to the poorest people living 
SA> on state benefits - would have the same annual carbon 
SA> allocation.

SA> This would be contained electronically on a "ration card", 
SA> which could be the proposed ID card or a "carbon card" based 
SA> on supermarket loyalty cards.

SA> It would have to be handed over every time a form of 
SA> non-renewable energy was purchased - at the filling station, 
SA> or when buying tickets for a flight - for points to be 
SA> deducted.

SA> High users of energy would have to purchase points from low 
SA> users, or from a central "carbon bank", if they wanted to 
SA> use more energy.

I can think of all manner of problems that complicate fair and 
even-handed enforcement of such an allowance / allocation.

What do you see as the most immediate benefit to such a plan?
Would it involve a distribution of wealth where lower-income 
individuals and families, who aren't likely to fly on jets, 
are able to better their lot in life by selling part of their 
yearly allowance to people who do? 

Would carbon credits be traded on some kind of E-Bay?

Would people be able to circumvent some of England's policies
simply by making trips out of the country? 

What do you see as the worst aspect of this proposed card?

Do you think people might leave England to live elsewhere 
over such a policy?


Jack


... "We don't need no thought control..."

--- Maximus 3.01