That’s a fair point. It still seems like focusing on the supply side would just result in higher prices (I’m thinking just oil imports), while enriching other countries that still pump. So money is sent abroad, Americans pay more and are pissed off and are back to being dependent on global markets. Whereas a tax would lower demand in an “artificial” way that keeps the money in the borders to be used on stuff that benefits people, like enabling the transition itself. Taxes are simple and they work. I imagine we’d have to be basically off oil already before moratoriums would be feasible politically. Gas is a bit different than oil because it’s not really a global market, but I’m no expert on this stuff. I just want to the fossil fuels to stay in the ground one way or another.
That’s a fair point. It still seems like focusing on the supply side would just result in higher prices (I’m thinking just oil imports), while enriching other countries that still pump. So money is sent abroad, Americans pay more and are pissed off and are back to being dependent on global markets. Whereas a tax would lower demand in an “artificial” way that keeps the money in the borders to be used on stuff that benefits people, like enabling the transition itself. Taxes are simple and they work. I imagine we’d have to be basically off oil already before moratoriums would be feasible politically. Gas is a bit different than oil because it’s not really a global market, but I’m no expert on this stuff. I just want to the fossil fuels to stay in the ground one way or another.