Global Carbon Cap - A tax on Carbon use

What is it?

A ‘Global Carbon Cap’ is – in short – a restriction on our carbon intake as continents, affecting each and every one of us individually. As it stands, continents such as Europe, North and South America, Oceania and areas of Asia such as China and Japan are using much more Carbon than necessary, whereas continents such as Africa, Mid-Asia and Antarctica are using much less. This seems unjust, with some living in a more than comfortable environment, with easy access to everything and anything, while others live in poverty and are unable to find food, clean water and shelter.

Not only is carbon use having an effect on humans and their capability to live, but also on the environment. With ice caps and glaciers melting, precipitation increasing and species of animals migrating north to higher and cooler areas, the world is certainly turning into a different place than it was merely 20 years ago. Different ideas as to how, as a globe, we deal with these forever pressing issues have arisen – one being the Global Carbon Cap – a way to ensure each continent is using an even and fair amount of Carbon. This means continents such as the Americas and China cutting back substantially, and continents such as Africa being able to use more, which would also help against poverty.

Why would we need it?

The Global Carbon Cap is a long-term solution which would have an effect on every individual alive today. This resolution, although potentially putting a stopper in Global Warming, would also mean a change in lifestyle for everyone. There would be a drastic change in food supplies, transport, water use and electricity (sources we have grown to rely on) and so although the long-term effects would be positive, there may be negative short-term repercussions. However, at the speed climate and weather change is affecting us; we need something along these lines in order to keep our Carbon use down to a minimum.

Benefits?

With each continent having the same Carbon intake, this would mean an even lifestyle for all. Richer continents would need to cut back, and poorer continents would be able to live better lives. This would not only remove thousands of families from terrible living conditions and poverty, but would perhaps even put a stop to it. Not only this, but with a global law as to how much each person in each family in each village/town/city, country and continent uses, there would be a massive cutback in the global use of Carbon, hopefully putting a stop to the escalating issue of Global Warming.

Weaknesses?

With cutbacks in reliable sources, although having a positive effect on Global Warming (by not reversing, but putting a stop to it as it stands), it also has its downfalls. For example, each person/family would be given an amount of Carbon they can use, and only some food would be available during different seasons due to transport and crop growth. We would not be able to use our cars/fuel as often as we currently do, we would need to rely more so on buses and trains. Although these changes would be for the greater good, most people may be unhappy for the main reasons of being told how to live their lives and not being able to use certain necessities and buy particular foods from grocery stores, as people living in richer continents such as the Americas, Europe and Oceania etc are used to a somewhat ‘privileged’ lifestyle, where almost everything and anything is within reach. This Carbon Cap lifestyle may take some getting used to, however it would be for the greater good.

How the Carbon Cap would affect the world of Design:

. Only so much ink and electricity can be used per individual/company.

. Prices of essentials will sky-rocket.

. Packaging will be severely limited.