Since their economies are so dependent on the sale of fossil fuels, they have a great deal to lose from reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The population issue also cannot be overlooked. Since world population is growing at a phenomenal rate and since developing countries continue to aim for a level of consumption near that of developed countries, it will not be long before our present system will need to be changed. The continued growth of world population cannot be ignored if there is any truth in our current environmental degradation. Scientists, economists and policy makers have come up with a number of solutions to the general problem of global warming.
Energy needs instruct almost all of our economic activities.
Any solutions, then, must take into account economic stability in order to be accepted. The first, and most reasonable, solution is taxing carbon emissions. Since carbon dioxide accounts for about 45 percent of net greenhouse emissions, its reduction will greatly slow down global warming. The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland have already adopted such taxes, and several proposals for a carbon tax have come before the U.S. Congress. One benefit of carbon taxes is its ability to generate substantial revenues.