Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are in the hunt for “compensation” as a result of climate change and Minister of the Environment Kenred Dorsett, fresh from his trip to Paris for the conference of parties on climate change (COP21), thinks The Bahamas might get some money as a result.

No entity or person has benefited more than The Bahamas Government from fossil fuels. In fact it’s a major part of its revenue from taxation and now they want more by approving drilling for oil.

I have not been convinced human activity is the main driver of climate change, nor do I believe in governments ability to solve it by taxing people more, just as people don’t stop smoking or drinking as a result of sin taxes.

But this debate highlights the typical hypocrisy of governments throughout the world when it comes to fossil fuels. They make money off fossil fuels, encourage development of the industry and now suggest people using fossil fuels should pay higher taxes and now, damages.

And The Bahamas eyeing compensation for climate change is no less hypocritical when we consider their use of Buncker C for power generation and more.

By all means go green, but not at an even higher cost to consumers and taxpayers.