If you're like me, you probably assume that when rich folks are alone in their hilltop mansions far from the prying eyes of the hoi-polloi that they secretly engage in environmentally irresponsible behaviour like drinking crude oil cappuchinos and burning whales for heat. Well, now a study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says that - in Canada, at least - wealthier people do have more impact on the planet.
The research claims richest ten percent of the population weighs on the environment 2.5 times more heavily than the poorest ten percent, principally due to more and larger homes and cars, as well as more frequent air travel for business and pleasure.
The report suggests that any attempt to levy carbon taxes should be weighted more heavily towards people at the upper end of the income scale. It's at this point where environmental policy becomes social policy, that things usually start to get interesting...
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