Simon

I think carbon taxes is a good idea. With a carbon tax on things that that damage our environment and climate, such as gasoline, we can reduce demand while at the same time get an influx of well-needed money to fund various green programs.   Tem Darrell Steinberg is the man behind this proposal which will directly tax motorists 15 cents a gallon, rising to 24 cents in 2020 (Source: Businessweek). “Under either a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade applied to fuel, consumers will undoubtedly pay more at the pump,” Steinberg told the Sacramento Press Club on Feb. 20. “Higher prices discourage demand. If carbon pricing doesn’t sting, we won’t change our habits.”   The money raised from this carbon tax, estimated at $3.6 billion during the first year, would help pay for public transit and a social help for poor families.    But, if I've understood his proposal correctly , he wants to shift responsibility for the emissions - from oil companies to consumers. And that doesn't seem right. With that said, I do think consumers should have to pay a higher gas price at the pump. But oil companies need to bear a large® part of the responsibility, they can't get rich on business that is killing the climate. 

American anchor, Liz Wahl, '>quit her job at Russia Today live on-air over the network's pro-Putin bias.       BBC reports: Russia Today TV presenter Liz Wahl quits on air

I am worried about the recent developments in Ukraine. Russia's military intervention in Crimea is a dangerous escalation. It's quickly becoming the most serious political and military situation in Europe since the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. I will try and collect links here as events unfold. If you know other relevant news sources or want to discuss the current and escalating situation in Ukraine, please post here.   Ukraine accuses Russia of invading Crimea. Ukrainian official says Moscow has deployed nearly 2,000 suspected troops to an airbase in tense southeastern region [source: Al Jazeera].  

Nice post, I've featured it!