Why Mandate Carbon Cuts?

Global carbon emissions still may be rising, but don't blame the U.S. In fact, total carbon emissions dropped in 2008 and the first half of 2009--back to the levels of about the year 2000. That's without ratifying Kyoto. Meanwhile, China produces more atmospheric carbon than the U.S..

Yes, it wasn't just increased energy efficiency--the recession's effect on GDP growth likely contributed to the cut. But that just underscores the devastating economic consequences of cutting carbon:

Some economic models find that target impossible to reach without drastic action, like cutting the world population by a third. Other models show that achieving the target by a high CO2 tax would reduce world GDP a staggering 12.9% in 2100--the equivalent of $40 trillion a year.

Remind me again why Obama's pushing "cap-and-trade" and flirting with a "Kyoto II" while simultaneously trying to recover from recession? Oh, yeah: socialism.