Despite the failure of the self-declared “world largest polluter” to adopt a carbon reduction plan dated to take effect any time before the second half of of the 21st Century, a European consulting group estimates that less than 12 years from now, the world’s carbon markets could be worth a staggering 3.1 trillion US dollars.

This is assuming, of course, that the United States does someday adopt a carbon capping package; while it hasn’t happened yet, the stances of both major party candidates seem amenable to adapting new carbon controls. 

While it might be tempting to attach a good portion of that 3.1 trillion to recent inflation of the dollar relative to commodities and other world currencies, the fact remains that a tremendous number of carbon-emitting US-based firms are extremely profitable, and can afford to spend tremendous sums of money to purchase the right to continue polluting.

The ability of large corporations to buy that right might sound like the worst nightmare of  environmentalists everywhere, but keep in mind that the atmosphere doesn’t care whether carbon cuts come from Exxon-Mobile or a far greener company; the end result is a cooler planet for everyone.