Cap N' Trade

It is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns contributing a ton of harm to our planet - you've guessed it... carbon emissions. Where do these carbon emissions come from? Everywhere... Cars, Trucks, Factories, you name it! 


Unfortunately in order to stop harming our planet, we need to reduce these emissions we are letting into the atmosphere by 80%!!! How might you ask...?


Cap N' Trade, a way to create a new Carbon Stock Market. Generally, the idea is that companies that have been releasing Co2 emissions into the atmosphere are going to be given a "cap" by the government on how much emissions they are legally allowed to produce. Once the company reduces their Co2 emissions they can apply for permits to produce more carbon emissions if needed. If they continue to reduce their carbon emissions they are able to sell their "remaining emissions" to other companies.


Sounds like a great way for businesses to come together and help save our planet, unfortunately there are some kinks that need to be worked out before Cap N' Trade can be successful.


 One of the disadvantages includes the idea of "offsetting", where companies reduce their carbon emissions, apply for a permit to produce more and then sell them to another company for profit. In other words, the businesses that decide to "cheat" will be creating a carbon black market. 


If Cap N' Trade can work out kinks such as offsetting, and be organized in a way that no one is able to "cheat" I think it could be a great start to saving our planet. The government can use the revenue created by Cap N' Trade permit purchases to fund other areas of the environment that need help. It only makes sense to put the money created by saving the planet back into saving it, or better yet preserving it one day. Not to mention it benefits our Canadian economy, and could possibly help boost it.


- M