The solution to climate change is a global universal basic income with taxes and income distribution determined by an elite.
In a bold move that could transform the global economy and tackle climate change, researchers propose a universal basic income funded by carbon taxes. This plan promises to double global GDP and significantly cut carbon emissions, presenting a dual solution to economic inequality and environmental degradation.
Universal Basic Income Could Double Global GDP While Cutting Carbon Emissions (msn.com)
Proposes funding this by placing taxes on oil, gas, plastics, and agriculture.
Also note the story teller’s sleight of hand in support of this proposal:
Additionally, the national cash transfer program in Iran, which began in 2011, provided monthly cash payments equivalent to 28% of median per capita household income.
28% corresponds to US$ equivalent of $45.
Before 1979, Iran used oil royalties, from oil services in Iran, to fund subsidies. After the Shah was overrun, the royalties were used to help the large number of people living in poverty through a new “social contract”. Starting in 2011, they converted this into a cash-based payments system – a la universal basic income – introduced to compensate the public for the government’s removal of subsidies. They converted about $60 Billion (US$ equivalent) in subsidies into about $30 billion in direct UBI payments. At the end of two years, they determined this reduced poverty slightly (there was no control group – the reduction in poverty might be due to other causes). However, the poverty rate grew from 22% in 2017 to 32% in 2019.
Important items left out of the story teller’s description, above:
- funded by oil royalties/revenues
- Initially reduced poverty until it didn’t
- Value of the program was eroded by sharp inflation (which they blamed on sanctions but which is also theorized to be a side effect of UBI programs, which may increase demand)
- They now recognize that the program may not have “long term sustainability”
- The UBI replaced “targeted” direct payments – that means, in U.S. terms, we get rid of direct aid for food, Medicaid, housing, etc. The idea is that rather than trying to identify those in need, just give handouts to everyone – but the key point is as a REPLACEMENT for existing programs, not as an ADDITION to existing programs.
The storyteller, whose background is mechanical engineering, left out many important details.
An important point is Iran’s UBI was funded from rich oil revenues.
Elon Musk has suggested future AI-based robotics will eliminate much labor – but generate so much wealth that then, a universal basic income should be implemented. Key point – you need an excess source of income to tap – or else it is just a tax and redistribute scheme whereby “Experts” decide what to tax and how to allocate it to whom.
