Season 3, Ep.11: The Davos Talks, 2020- Jeff Saviano: How can we fight climate change with better taxation? | TEDxBeaconStreet

Published: March 5, 2020, 4:07 p.m.

We\u2019ve all heard of the so-called \u201csin taxes\u201d on items like cigarettes and soda. When these harmful products become more expensive, consumption naturally decreases. What if we tried the same approach with fossil fuel consumption producing carbon emissions?\xa0

\xa0

This special throwback episode features Jeff\u2019s 2016 TEDx talk that was the impetus for Better Innovation, focused on citizen activism and the impact of a carbon tax in British Columbia. The province adopted a carbon tax that cut fossil fuel consumption by 16% without stifling economic growth \u2014 and since revenues were given back to the people by cutting other taxes, it enjoyed public support. In 2019, the carbon tax was extended throughout Canada.

\xa0

While partisan gridlock may hinder a national carbon tax in the U.S., Jeff argues we could adopt it at the state level using ballot initiatives; and, perhaps extend this idea across the globe! Tune in to see how we can leverage taxes as a powerful tool for social change.