Last updated: 12:41 pm
October 10, 2008
Posted: 4:00 am
October 10, 2008
Here's one more reason to be skeptical of the West's continuing climate-change frenzy: Russia loves it.
At least that's the view from Poland, the leader of a bloc of Central European nations fighting tooth and nail to delay the European Union's sweeping new carbon tax.
The tax scheme, part of the EU's pledge to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions to just 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2020, would slap huge levies on carbon-spewing heavy industry - including coal-fired power plants.
And that would leave Poland, which relies on coal for more than 90 percent of its electricity, in a particularly awkward position.
The tax is designed to persuade member nations to move toward cleaner sources of energy. Problem is, Poland's only real "green" alternative at the moment is to import more natural gas from Russia.
And Russia has proven perfectly willing to cut off gas supplies to achieve political goals - that is, to bring its neighbors to heel.
So much for "energy independence."
Truth be told, that's a term that Americans, for all they may (justifiably) gripe about high gasoline prices, still have the luxury of thinking about somewhat abstractly.
And, for many, as a goal that's entirely compatible with the left's zero-carbon agenda.
Poland knows otherwise.
Fortunately, its case will likely be strengthened by the global financial crisis, which may be giving EU leaders second thoughts about socking industry with higher costs.
Meanwhile, the Polish predicament is just further proof that any effort to cut greenhouse emissions, however well-meant, must be weighed carefully in light of all possible unintended consequences.
We hope Europe's listening.
COMMENTS