I'm always suspicious of a "crisis" where the solution is to tax the middle and lower classes, imposing measures that restrict their liberties and add to government control, while simultaneously transferring huge sums of money upwards to those who are already super-rich. Why are all the conferences held in swanky destinations which involve flying on private jets - why not just do a Zoom conference ?
The human race has issues of over-population and over-usage of resources, but none of the solutions I've seen taxes levied for seem to address those.
Right? Like, there are real issues at play, and stuff like cutting down our use of throw-away plastics, getting into greener energy, etc etc... that's all good stuff. But taxing the majority isn't going to get us to our goals. My entire life of CO2 is overshadowed by just one lifetime politician's private flights.
Instead of taxes, give me some cash incentives to do green stuff. I have a house with a roof that I'd love to put solar on! But it costs me 20k+ to get it installed and the best I can get is a $5000 rebate. Feels a little lopsided to me.
In the long run, I do still want solar on this place and I'm going to have to just suck up the cost when we get to that point, but my more immediate need is a second vehicle as we have our third kid on the way. So... 20-40k on a 'nice to have' energy upgrade isn't exactly in the cards for the next year or two, at BEST.