Calling for ideas: Incentives that would help people and businesses adapt to a changing world.

I think our future has to be in green, renewable energy. Every single foreign policy to date has to be waged against the effects it will have on our oil prices, and thus our economy.
We also need to get the coast to coast high speed rail system built and running ASAP with materials and labor found right in the good `ol USA.....I mean surely we can manufacture more then tear gas canisters.
But MOST importantly is our education. We simply can't complete in a global market with a GED. We need to honor education for being exactly what it is...an investment in out countries future. I know that sounds a bit cliche, but it's the truth.

People have been changing there habits lately. I have seen an increased awareness of world events and more people working together. A lot of people I know have changed the way they are living and are enjoying the simpler things in life. Many of my friends are taking better care of themselves and have more hope for the future.
I've been really impressed with how many are taking steps to help change the world they live in. :)

Get off your ass and walk instead of riding in a car.

Less reliant on consuming, more on innovation. Less on profit, more on productivity. Education, education education! More schools, universities, libraries, make information available to the people. Slow down!! Stop focusing so much on growth, take time to life a good life. Allow nature to grow, localized business. No more global corporations. Minimize travel. Brand new city planning, everything is within walking or biking distance. Open up the landscape, with natural parks. We need to know what we are working for. The stop trying to mend what broken. Change the economics completely! Money means nothing! It is only a means of exchange.

Calling all economists! I'm an artist and a scientist, economics is not really my forte, but I'll try hard engaging all my nerd mind cogs.

So far my brain says if we had a carbon tax we could have concessions for low income earners and small businesses. Further up the financial scale we could have carbon tax cuts and incentives for those that invest in clean or renewable technologies. The tax would have to be a small percentage as to not hurt low income earners and business owners. The proceeds would have to be set aside for projects that are either renewable, demonstrate a reduction in greenhouse gasses, or find new ways to use emissions or waste in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Tax is scary though. So instead of tax how about incentives as an alternative? To stimulate the growth of renewable or clean and safe technology, there has to be an incentive for business to invest. We already have the incentive of popular opinion and a hope for a better world for future generations. What other incentives are there that may encourage investment?

We have learnt some lessons from problems rolling out other schemes. We could take these lessons and use them to better tailor future schemes and avoid problems. Progress has been made but we need to keep the ball rolling.