"Next stop...TTDI..."

It won't be long until we hear this announcement on the LRT. Great news today as the new Kota Damansara-Cheras LRT line is set to be in operation by 2012. I imagine how I would be able to commute to my office in Bangsar. I don't know where this station would be located in TTDI, but I think the most suitable area would be somewhere close to Aminuddin Baki area. Hahaha. It would be great if we, the residences could have some say on this (Mafeitz, you see how this 'tv' project can play a role here, national news-local perspectives!).

Hopefully, this new LRT line will help alleviate traffic congestion surrounding the One-Utama area. As the train runs on electricity, and knowing that it will run through the most densely populated area in Klang Valley, substantial reduction in carbon emission from private transportation can be expected.

By 2012 they say...we shall wait and see...

I don't know whether the authority realise this or not but we could actually trade the carbon savings from this project in the carbon exchange. Estimate how many vehicles we expect to be off the road and measure the tonnage of carbon emission savings per year. We can sell carbon credits to heavily industrialised countries who would want to offset their carbon surplus.

If the government wants to go 'green', which I think would be very popular in the wake of global oil price increase, they can be actively involve in carbon trading. Tie every development project that has an impact in carbon reduction and start to measure the savings. If we are daring enough, we can extend this model to every citizens of Malaysia, not just to the public and corporate sectors. Imagine if each one of us has a Carbon Account that can later be converted into money. The lesser the consumption of carbon emitting energy, the more carbon credit can be converted into money.

With carbon trading, money does grow on trees!

Today, most government's conservation model is based more on penalties by way of reducing subsidies. The lower income group suffers and it's politically unpopular. I say it is time that we develop a reward system. A reward system that encourages people to reduce carbon emissions. A system that links citizens account to the state level account. Accumulated Carbon credits traded by the government in the global exchange can be distributed back to the citizens. So the more credits that you accumulate, more rewards you can get from the government.

How on earth are we going to implement this model when simple solution like giving subsidies to the right group of people is already difficult. But this is a reward system you see. Not to penalise. It works just like the tax system, but only this time the citizens can redeem their carbon credits for money. To accumulate credits, keep receipts from usage of public transportation or purchases of recycled items or any items that conserve energy, plant more trees and don't own vehicle that uses petrol. These are just examples. It's a sweetener for everyone so support and ideas will come in drove on how best to implement this model.

The time is right because the oil price is not going to go down. I foresee that the carbon exchange would one day be as important as the stock exchange. It's a bold measure but if it comes true, our economy can be shaped and driven by using renewable resources. So wherever our country's next stop is in managing our energy needs, I hope it includes carbon trading.