This would drive farm sustainability and could be applied to many other agricultural practices. Farms could then choose to invest in technology like biogas reactors that turn waste into energy, powering their operations in the process.
If they don’t, proceeds from “poop credit” sales could go to fund such projects — just as carbon cap-and-trade revenue will be directed to cleantech projects.
And it doesn’t stop there.
I’ve also heard rumors of “land credits” in which investors can buy credits, at the rate of one acre each, for land not to be developed. This would apply to land that contain wetlands or endangered species, and the future value of the permits would be related to the biodiversity of the undeveloped land.
I know it sounds crazy. I once thought so, too.
But now it looks as though schemes like this could actually be developed.
While there are still many details to be worked out, it’ll be interesting to see how this story line develops.
Image Credit: Señor Codo via Flickr under Creative Commons License
I've been brainstorming about how to apply the cap-and-trade approach outside of strictly carbon emissions as well. Any more ideas besides your two examples here? I'm not sure how easily your poop-and-trade proposition could be prevented from massive manipulation.
Looks like we'll be getting our chicken from China now, at least those of us who can still afford food.