View looking north over Vals, Switzerland, author Archipreneur, attribution license, source https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vals_switzerland_pan_archipreneur.jpg

Swiss Voters Reject New Climate Taxes

Guest essay by Eric Worrall

According to the BBC, “Voter rejection undermines Switzerland’s entire strategy to comply with the Paris Agreement. Today’s results are a devastating blow for environmentalists.”.

Swiss voters reject key climate change measures

Switzerland’s policy on fighting climate change has been thrown into doubt after voters rejected key measures in a popular vote.

A referendum saw voters narrowly reject the government’s plans for a car fuel levy and a tax on air tickets. 

The measures were designed to help Switzerland meet targets under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Many voters appear to have worried about the impact on the economy as the country tries to recover from Covid-19.

Opponents also pointed out that Switzerland is responsible for only 0.1% of global emissions, and expressed doubts that such policies would help the environment. 

The vote, under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy, went 51% against, 49% in favour.

Voter rejection undermines Switzerland’s entire strategy to comply with the Paris Agreement. Today’s results are a devastating blow for environmentalists.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57457384

The impudence of those Swiss peasants voters, upsetting the carefully orchestrated plans of their leaders.

No doubt a vigorous public climate propaganda campaign is already on the launchpad, to ensure voters don’t cause international embarrassment next time they are offered the opportunity to agree with their government.

Get notified when a new post is published.
Subscribe today!
5 62 votes
Article Rating
143 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
DipChip
June 15, 2021 6:43 am

When will America have a referendum on Climate propaganda?

Olen
June 15, 2021 7:24 am

Politicians always have a solution to a problem, tax it and if there is no problem tax that. It is great knowing there is stability in the political class.

June 15, 2021 7:54 am

It should not come as a surprise that the majority of voters decided not to become poorer in order to have exactly no impact on the weather. What is scary is that the vote was so close. And following along with trends elsewhere the ones with an understanding of cause and effect seem to be mostly those living on the land and actually producing valuable products versus those ensconced in urban playschools for “adults” where no decision or thought is too progressive to celebate.

Roger
Reply to  Andy Pattullo
June 15, 2021 10:22 am

Agreed. The continuous “dumbing-down” of societies everywhere is beginning to have its effect. Education has made a great migration from an emphasis on independent, critical thought processes, to rigid party line dogma.

Should we be surprised that the vote was this close?

Roger
June 15, 2021 8:34 am

What’s alarming is that nearly half of Swiss voters thought that this was a good idea.

Reply to  Roger
June 16, 2021 12:35 am

I think the main problem here is: the Swiss are used to relatively neutral media and overall non-biased information. Unfortunately this has drastically changed in the last decade. Practically all news media and the state TV are now one-minded green-left purveyors of propaganda. Another point that was mentioned above: Science in the education system has reached an all time low. The only science that is reasonably taught in pre-gymnasium schools is biology (with green propaganda). Practically no chemistry or physics. The people are not in a position anymore to know if they’re being lied to…

June 16, 2021 11:58 pm

Oh if only we could vote on it!

Theresa W Chavez
June 23, 2021 6:13 am

Unless someone finds an energy source with the same or better energy density as fossil fuels, coal and all other energy sources will be used as required. All these statements are signals of political virtue, and no leader intends to change what is best for his country. But fortunately, many carmakers, such as Kia, have been aware of their social responsibilities and been devoted to make their models more energy-efficient.