Originally Posted by
Skipness One Foxtrot
Shipping is way worse than aviation but cannot be taxes directly to the consumer.
If there was a real crisis you wouldn't be allowed to fly. We grounded aviation for a serious short term viral infection, but somehow this existential threat can be managed by more taxation? Outside of Ireland (well played!) and a few others, most of the west runs a serious spending deficit that needs more and more money. The Thames froze in winter under Henry VIII and Roman Britain was positively balmy compared to today. Climate change has always been with us, it's dynamic with no benchmark. As an analyst, the wilful misuse of "hottest day ever on record" (again) makes my blood boil. By all means care for the environment but you are being taken for mugs by those who treat you like free range tax drones.
I suggest the issue you are raising toward the end of your comments is more one of message delivery and indeed media coverage (especially in the UK where a very few control that message and are often rather too close to the fossil industries)
As for use of taxation to modify behaviours true in and of itself a blunt instrument however its pretty effective !