Dear Editor:
RE: Cruelty tax, March 7.
Wayne Baker says “it’s better to collectively start thinking about the things we can do to reduce our own personal carbon footprint …” That’s exactly the point of the carbon tax!
It makes us collectively aware that we have a carbon footprint that is going to cost us more each year as the tax increases, unless we reduce the size of our footprint. It encourages us to drive smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, improve our home insulation and use more energy efficient appliances.
We don’t have to make these changes overnight, although it would be better for us and the planet if we did. But since the tax increases each year, the sooner we make those changes, the better.
The revenue neutral carbon tax is not a “cruelty tax.” I kept records of my energy use last year. I burned 1,168 litres of gasoline releasing 2.70 tonnes of CO2, and 1980 cubic metres of natural gas releasing 4.75 tonnes, and used 2,750 kWh of electricity releasing 0.12 tonnes.
If the carbon tax of $20 per tonne had been in effect last year, the tax would have cost me $152, but the rebate was $154. What’s cruel about that?
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh