Australia, like other countries, is considering how to contain its harmful impact on the physical environment.
And so the government proposes a carbon tax on heavy polluting industries and then a later emissions trading scheme.
Public discussion has started. Proponents of the tax argue point to the compensation scheme and argue that few will be worse off than at present. Opponents of the scheme argue that the general will be worse off through trickle down effects etc into the wider economy.
Consider however where the discussion is largely focused. Its on the immediate economic self-interest of the individual.
How about considering some other interests:
- Social and environmental good as well as economic;
- Longer term as well as immediate.
- Other people, and especially the vulnerable in the community.
In Christian perspective we may also consider:
- Our responsibility towards the physical creation as its God-appointed managers (not damagers) who are charged to use it and care for it (Gen 1:26-28; Gen 2:15).
- The great commands to love God and neighbour (Matt 22:37-39).
Short term, economic self-interest really is such a sub-Christian way to think about the carbon tax and many other public questions.
