The Indicator from Planet Money

The social cost of carbon: a powerful tool and ethics nightmare

One of the most important tools the federal government has for cracking down on greenhouse gas emissions is a single number: the social cost of carbon. It represents all the damage from carbon emissions — everything from the cost of lost crops to the cost of climate-related deaths. Currently, the cost is $51 per ton of carbon, but the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed raising it to $190. Today on The Indicator, we bring you an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/02/08/1155544378/epas-proposal-to-raise-the-cost-of-carbon-is-a-powerful-tool-and-ethics-nightmar">episode of Short Wave</a>, NPR's daily science podcast. NPR climate correspondent <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/384067907/rebecca-hersher">Rebecca Hersher</a> and Short Wave co-host <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1082524708/aaron-scott">Aaron Scott</a> discuss how this new number is simultaneously more accurate and an ethics nightmare. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons. Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney