Will Dion Tax Dead Trees Too?

This headline slipped down the collective memory hole of the blogosphere, and I’m bringing it back.

Pine beetle turning B.C. forest into greenhouse gas gusher: Scientists

VANCOUVER - The tiny mountain pine beetle has transformed British Columbia’s vast pine forests into a major source of greenhouse gases, federal scientists say.

By the time the unprecedented infestation ends, the rice-sized beetles will have killed so many trees an extra billion tonnes of carbon dioxide will be wafting through the atmosphere, researchers from the Canadian Forest Service report in the journal Nature on Thursday.

That is five times the annual emissions from all the cars, trucks, trains and planes in Canada, says lead author Werner Kurz, who warns the beetle’s impact goes far beyond the B.C. border.

A billion tonnes. That’s an easy $40 billion for Stephane right there. A $40 dollar tax on carbon from trees might actually drive some innovation in this area. Enter the concept of biochar. i have a few links collected HERE.