ANOTHER BRILLIANT IDEA – AT 11:46 P.M. ET:  Why didn't I think of this?  I can kick myself.  It's just what we need – higher transportation costs:

BONN, Germany, June 5 (Reuters) - The World Bank will suggest a global levy on jet and shipping fuel in recommendations to G20 governments later this year on raising climate finance, a senior official said on Sunday.

Developed countries have already written off chances of agreement on a new binding deal at a U.N. conference in Durban this year, placing a new focus on piecemeal efforts including fund-raising.

Binding targets under the Kyoto Protocol cap the greenhouse gas emissions of nearly 40 industrialised countries but expire in 2012 and now look unlikely to be extended in time.

The World Bank is focusing on a levy on shipping and jet fuels in a report to G20 finance minister in October, among other efforts to keep climate action on track.

"We are looking at carbon emissions-based sources ... including bunker (shipping) fuels and aviation fuels, that would be internationally coordinated albeit nationally collected," said Andrew Steer, World Bank special envoy for climate change.

COMMENT:  Do these worthies understand the meaning of the term "global depression"?  Or even "global disaster"?  There may well be some climate change, but until we nail down the science, if there is any, one of the worst things we can do is threaten the fragile, weakening, international economy.  Who do you think will be hurt most by this?  Of course, it's the poor and the marginal. 

And someone will make a lot of money on this gimmick.  It always happens.

Terrible idea.

June 5, 2011