The Role of Carbon Taxes - Coursework Example

Developed countries have tried to come up with long-lasting solutions that will reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, the economic pressures facing these countries have made them shift their attention towards developing countries.  This is through providing them with a carbon tax. Nevertheless, this intervention is shifting the burden of reducing the level of global warming to developing countries (Parry, Morris & Williams 2015). These are countries with leadership and economic challenges. As a result, carbon tax needs to be directed towards economic development rather than reducing the level of carbon gases in the atmosphere.

Developing countries are releasing very little gas that cannot cause global warming. These countries have very few industries that release carbon gas into the atmosphere. The governments in these countries have been vocal about the need for the members of the public to plant trees. However, they are suffering the consequences of global warming through droughts, floods, season changes, etc. As a result, rather than payment for the effort by these countries to lower the level of carbon gases in the atmosphere, the carbon tax should be given to the countries as compensation for the damage being caused to them by global warming (Roosa & Jhaveri 2009). This is because the largest emitters of these gases are in developed countries and these industries pay huge taxes, an aspect that makes it hard for their local governments to control their activities.

The payment of carbon tax is shifting the attention of the world from the aggravating situation. The developed countries feel that they are doing enough to pay countries that are doing a lot in reducing global warming. This is reducing pressure on them to enact rules and regulations to control their industries which emit a lot of gases to the atmosphere (Määttä 2006). Therefore, giving money as aid will keep on reminding the developed countries of the harm they are causing developed countries as they yearn for more prosperity through industrialization.

The developing countries have been hard hit by global warming. The majority of the farmers in these regions depend on rain-fed agriculture. However, due to changes in seasons and frequent droughts, their production levels have decreased immensely (Hsu 2011). This aspect is increasing poverty levels as people cannot afford to take their children to school or even get access to better education. As a result, giving out carbon tax as payment is misleading the world that developing countries are supporting the fight against pollution while in the real sense; they are doing nothing to reverse the worsening trend.