Turns out climate change is a myth- then what?

[busta]

This is purely hypothetical. Please keep it on track and avoid turning it into another climate change debate.

At present, car design, engine technology and taxation is influenced massively by CO2 emissions. If we found out tomorrow that it was not the case that man made global warming was having an impact on our planet, would anything change?

[loafer123]

Not much - greater fuel economy is a laudable aim, given the finite oil supply.

I suppose Electric/Hybrid technologies would develop more slowly.

[LukeSi]

In an ideal world they would decide that emissions regulations could be relaxed meaning that manufacturers could make more interesting stuff and the tax on fuel would drop.

Realistically, they would either not tell us or not change anything.

[60]

The government would keep it quiet, how else could they justify taxing driving so much.

[kambites]

I don't think it would change much, there are other very good reasons for pushing the country to use less crude oil.

[Blueeleven]

loafer123 said:

Not much - greater fuel economy is a laudable aim, given the finite oil supply.

I suppose Electric/Hybrid technologies would develop more slowly.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[XJ40]

Limited natural resources is the real issue going forward, the whole engineering industry seems to be gearing up to maximise efficiency wherever it can.

[Eggman]

I thought it had everything to do with redistributive taxation and the truth of the matter was neither here nor there. Silly me.

[Jasandjules]

Well, they wouldn't reduce the tax on fuel so I suspect that more economical cars would still be wanted by many.

Of course, IF they reduced the Car Tax then V8s would see a price increase I suspect....

[busta]

Don't most emissions controls reduce the efficiency of the engine e.g. reduce MPG? So we could probably expect to see a slight rise in fuel economy.

[jimxms]

Decats would sail thru an MOT

[kambites]

busta said:

Don't most emissions controls reduce the efficiency of the engine e.g. reduce MPG? So we could probably expect to see a slight rise in fuel economy.

Not greenhouse gas emissions, no.

[mybrainhurts]

I would demand the refund of all green taxes I have been required to pay, failing which I would commence impeachment proceedings on the usual suspects for knowingly harming the economy...

How do I commence impeachment proceedings, by the way..?

[kambites]

jimxms said:

Decats would sail thru an MOT

Why? Cats have nothing to do with global warming do they?

[Jasandjules]

mybrainhurts said:

How do I commence impeachment proceedings, by the way..?

I believe Lord Monkton will be on that.

[Mr GrimNasty]

I'm preparing to reclaim all the extra tax I've paid.

[turbobloke]

Eggman said:

I thought it had everything to do with redistributive taxation and the truth of the matter was neither here nor there. Silly me.

Not silly at all

In terms of the OP, manmadeup warming has already been shown not to be influencing climate, it's in the data (or rather, what should be in it, isn't) so the question is answered by what's happening now...a little trimming at the edges led by economic necessity but very little change. Some of the movers e.g. Canada pulling out of Kyoto and Sino-Soviet realpolitik may lead to some further withdrawals and about-turns but massive egg on face doesn't go down well with politicians so the current lot need to retire and/or die. Then we may see some more changes. As to energy sources, we are currently more likely to be in an era of peak renewables than peak fossil fuel, there is a lot left and alternatives carry a cost that's too high and the returns are too low. Not everybody lives in the guilt-sodden developed but deluded world.

Mr GrimNasty said:

I'm preparing to reclaim all the extra tax I've paid.

PH class action?

[busta]

kambites said:

busta said:

Don't most emissions controls reduce the efficiency of the engine e.g. reduce MPG? So we could probably expect to see a slight rise in fuel economy.

Not greenhouse gas emissions, no.

Ok, so do CATs and EGR just deal with the nasties we don't want our children breathing in? So we can't get rid of them just yet...

[alock]

busta said:

Ok, so do CATs and EGR just deal with the nasties we don't want our children breathing in? So we can't get rid of them just yet...

They convert the deadly, acid rain producing carbon monoxide into the cute and cuddly plant food that is carbon dioxide.

I appear to have travelled back in time 20 years

[otolith]

It would be massively damaging to the public perception of science if it were found to have cried wolf on this - for which I would never forgive those responsible.