Prevent Future Environmental Catastrophes

The Latest Environmental Catastropheplanting a pine forest.
Over 4 million gallons of toxic crude oil have alreadyCash is King
gushed into the Gulf of Mexico, and there is no endWhat carbon footprint is generated by pouring one
in sight. The fishing industry is paralyzed, plants andgallon of crude oil into the ocean? Surely a
animals are dying, and the oil is moving perilously closemathematician could devise an algorithm to calculate
to the U.S. shore. As a society and as an economythat value and assign a cost to it. If, for example,
we must put safeguards into place to protectthat cost was $10, BP would now be liable for $30
ourselves from future environmental catastrophes,billion (and counting) for clean-up efforts. Companies
whether they are oil related or involve some otherwould be forced to calculate those risks into their
industry. How can we encourage companies to actbusiness plans. Perhaps bonding or insurance programs
with environmental integrity?would emerge to help companies mitigate their risks.
Carbon Trading SystemBy the same token, companies could stand to profit
One option may be to turn to the carbon tradingby engaging in ventures neutralize carbon emissions
system as a means to incent or discourageor generate clean energy.
commercial ventures that impact our environment. OnImagine
an individual level we already know that the averageNow, let's really dream big. What if this energy
family car generates 12,000 pounds of carbon dioxidecurrency were applied on a global scale? Could U.S.
and that its footprint can be offset with theprairies and mountaintops generate wind energy that
purchase of by the purchase of carbon credits,could be harnessed and sold to other countries?
totaling approximately $71. That money is channeledCould clean energy become the largest national
into projects that consume or harnesses carbonexport and offset the national trade deficit?
dioxide, like trapping gases emitted from landfills or