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Note that if we impose a carbon tax we just drive a lot of energy-intensive industry offshore. China and India very much do matter. I think we might be able to handle this by applying the tax to imports. As a rough model, look at the value of the import as a % of their GDP, it's taxed that % of their total carbon emission, credit for any foreign carbon tax already paid.

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Absolutely. There will need to be treaties and a method to account for the carbon cost even when something is produced abroad if we are to achieve aggregate reductions.

Unfortunately things look grim when you look at the state of international relations. It doesn't feel like we'll see progress on international carbon pricing anytime soon.

Nothing of this sort will be done because it would effectively block the access of those privileged enough to care about carbon taxes to the markets of those that cant really afford it.

Carbon taxes are irrational and not a viable alternative.

Then nothing is rational.

It's hard to keep an optimistic and creative imagination when the status quo is as bad as it is, but don't let the present malaise limit your horizons. There is more than one way out.

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