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   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Rationing: A fairer way to fight climate change?    
      
     Date:   
         February 20, 2023   
     Source:   
         University of Leeds   
     Summary:   
         World War II-style rationing could be an effective way to reduce   
         carbon emissions, according to new research.   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   World War II-style rationing could be an effective way to reduce carbon   
   emissions, according to new research from the University of Leeds.   
      
      
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   In a paper published today in the journal Ethics, Policy and Environment,   
   academics argue that rationing could help states to reduce greenhouse   
   gas emissions rapidly and fairly.   
      
   Policymakers have considered other schemes to reduce emissions, including   
   carbon taxes and personal carbon trading schemes, but the researchers   
   say these favour the wealthy, who could buy the right to pollute if   
   trading were allowed.   
      
   The authors argue that carbon rationing would instead allow people   
   to receive an equitable portion of resources based on their needs,   
   therefore sharing out the effort to protect the planet.   
      
   The authors were based across the University of Leeds' Inter-Disciplinary   
   Ethics Applied Centre, Sustainability Research Institute and School of   
   History when they conducted the research.   
      
   Joint lead author Dr Nathan Wood, who is now a Postdoctoral Fellow   
   at Utrecht University's Fair Energy Consortium, said: "The concept of   
   rationing could help, not only in the mitigation of climate change, but   
   also in reference to a variety of other social and political issues --   
   such as the current energy crisis."  Lessons from the past Records from   
   World War II show that compulsory food rationing was more acceptable   
   to the UK public than voluntary changes to diet when resources became   
   scarce. The policy aimed to share goods and burdens more equally,   
   regardless of wealth, which was an important part of its popularity   
   and success.   
      
   Historic rationing policies also introduced price controls on goods to   
   keep key resources affordable for most people. As a result, rates of   
   malnutrition went down during World War II, despite the shortages.   
      
   A key difference between World War II rationing and the climate crisis   
   is public perception, the researchers say. The availability of thousands   
   of garments, gadgets and goods at the click of a button can give the   
   illusion that resources are available in abundance, but the reality is   
   starkly different.   
      
   Dr Rob Lawlor, joint lead author and Lecturer at Leeds' Inter-Disciplinary   
   Ethics Applied Centre, said: "There is a limit to how much we can emit   
   if we are to reduce the catastrophic impacts of climate change. In this   
   sense, the scarcity is very real."  Dr Wood said: "The cost of living   
   crisis has shown what happens when scarcity drives up prices, with energy   
   prices rising steeply and leaving vulnerable groups unable to pay their   
   bills. Currently, those living in energy poverty cannot use anywhere   
   near their fair share of energy supply, whereas the richest in society   
   are free to use as much energy as they can afford."  Dr Lawlor added:   
   "It seems feasible to reduce emissions overall even while the lowest   
   emitters, often the worst off, may be able to increase their emissions -   
   - not despite rationing, but because of rationing and price controls."   
   What equitable rationing could look like The researchers suggest that   
   rationing probably wouldn't be the first step.   
      
   Instead, policy changes could start with stricter regulations and   
   an accompanying information campaign to communicate the benefits of   
   rationing.   
      
   Initially, governments could regulate the biggest polluters, such as   
   oil, gas and petrol, long-haul flights and intensive farming, creating   
   scarcity in products that harm the planet. Rationing could then be   
   introduced gradually, to manage the resulting scarcity with the aim of   
   meeting everyone's basic needs.   
      
   The academics identified two options for rationing policy. Policymakers   
   could introduce an all-encompassing carbon allowance, giving out   
   'carbon cards' like bank cards to track and limit usage. Alternatively,   
   governments could ration specifically selected goods, such as flights,   
   petrol, household energy, or even meat or clothing.   
      
   Dr Lawlor said: "Many have proposed carbon allowances and carbon cards   
   before.   
      
   What is new (or old, taking inspiration from World War II) is the idea   
   that the allowances should not be tradable. Another feature of World   
   War II-style rationing is that price controls on rationed goods would   
   prevent prices from rising with increased demand, benefitting those   
   with the least money."  According to the researchers, it's likely that   
   rationing would accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner   
   energy and more sustainable lifestyles.   
      
   Dr Wood said: "For example, rationing petrol could encourage greater use   
   of, and investment in, low carbon public transport, such as railways and   
   local trams."  The researchers hope the paper will inspire policymakers   
   to consider rationing as a serious option for fighting climate change.   
      
       * RELATED_TOPICS   
             o Earth_&_Climate   
                   # Environmental_Policy # Global_Warming #   
                   Environmental_Awareness # Sustainability   
             o Science_&_Society   
                   # World_Development # Resource_Shortage # Energy_Issues   
                   # Social_Issues   
       * RELATED_TERMS   
             o Climate_engineering o Warfare o Western_world   
             o Automobile_emissions_control o Mass_media o   
             Climate_change_mitigation o Carbon_dioxide_sink o   
             United_Nations_Framework_Convention_on_Climate_Change   
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Leeds. Note: Content   
   may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Journal Reference:   
      1. Nathan Wood, Rob Lawlor, Josie Freear. Rationing and Climate Change   
         Mitigation*. Ethics, Policy & Environment, 2023; 1 DOI: 10.1080/   
         21550085.2023.2166342   
   ==========================================================================   
      
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/02/230220121859.htm   
      
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