We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own money

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304793504576434122693094168.html

Associated Press

Light bulbs manufactured in Mullins, S.C.

The light-bulb wars are back on.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu came out swinging Friday against a House bill that would repeal a 2007 federal law effectively outlawing older forms of incandescent bulbs—an effort at energy conservation that has inflamed a wide swath of Americans who don't care for the more expensive alternatives.

In a conference call with reporters, Mr. Chu said the more-efficient bulbs required would save consumers money over the life of the product, even if the up-front price is higher.

"We are taking away a choice that continues to let people waste their own money," he said.

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Australia to hit nation's 500 worst polluters with tax; companies to pay $25 per ton of carbon

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-to-hit-nations-500-worst-polluters-with-tax-companies-to-pay-25-per-ton-of-carbon/2011/07/09/gIQAV01H6H_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines

SYDNEY — Australia will force its 500 worst polluters to pay 23 Australian dollars ($25) for every ton of carbon dioxide they emit, with the government promising to compensate households hit with higher power bills under a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions unveiled Sunday.

“We generate more carbon pollution per head than any other country in the developed world,” Gillard told reporters in Canberra as she released details of the tax, which will go into effect on July 1, 2012. “We’ve got a lot of work to do to hold our place in the race that the world is running.”

“The fact that we have any price at all is testament to all Australians who demanded the government take action on climate change,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO Linda Selvey said in a statement. “But equally, the fact it is such a low price, with such limited coverage is testament to the power of the big polluters to dominate Australia’s political leadership.”

Conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott, an outspoken critic of the plan, insisted it will drive up the cost of living for millions of Australians and will do nothing to help the environment.

“It’s socialism masquerading as environmentalism,” Abbott told reporters. “It’s a package which is all economic pain for no environmental gain.”

Luke-Warmer

There is finally a term to describe me: a Luke-Warmer.  One the believes that while human activity is having an effect on the climate, the change is modest and easily adaptable.