Carbon tariff on China possible to curb pollution

Andrew Calhoun, Jr. / 3-27-08 / 5:18PM / Pollution

In response to China's increased air pollution issues, officials in countries such as Canada and the United States are considering the option of placing Carbon tariffs on China's goods, which in turn forces those countries that are in a developmental phase to yield to greenhouse gas emission standards. The article comments how even though industrialized countries in the global north are primarily responsible for the issues with greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, a viewpoint that was also held by the same countries in the '97 Kyoto Protocol, ideals and beliefs have shifted now that countries like China and India have stepped up in their development. "Since the beginning of the decade", the article states "China's emissions have increased about 120 per cent and are greater than Canada, India, Spain and Japan combined."

I feel like this response to China's growth is very timely considering the summer olypmics in Beijing are just right around the corner. Now, it seems, China has become a target for attention on multiple levels; from political issues right down to environmental issues. If these tariffs and fines are put in place in countries like China and India, my main concern is how will that change their development. I also wonder why the US and other countries feel an overwhelming need to charge their imports rather than work together to promote the reduction of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. I mean, the US and other countries still aren't able to cut down on their own emissions and now because a country has increased their abilities and increased their development at a fast rate, they feel the need to tax them?

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/380403