Economics isn’t my usual reading list, but this looked like something I should educate myself on. It’s available from NetGalley for review, but it can easily be accessed on the IMF publications site. The subject matter is outside of my bailiwick, but with today’s global warming problem, I wanted to struggle through this document to the best of my abilities. This publication on energy subsidy reform is written so clearly that most should be able to follow the rhetoric.

The first sections cover many scenarios of energy usage, sans solar, nuclear, and perhaps other esoteric forms I’ve never heard of being used such as methane trapped in the ice of Antarctica. It discusses CO2 and SO2 emissions and where they come from.

I learned a lot of issues impacting energy subsidy and issues that subsidizing energy creates. Issues such as special interest groups lobbying, benefits to the wealthy that in turn further disadvantage poor people, problems of corruption, and even theft, and much more. It’s heartening to see these issues out in the open instead of being swept under the rug.

Another section is a large bibliography of six and a half pages, with many documents available online.

An appendix gives an eye opening overview of how calculations are done, and incidentally here is where I found an awesome new word for today day: Pigovian (or Pigouvian) tax, which is “assessed against private individuals or businesses for engaging in activities that create adverse side effects for society.” (Investopedia) Sadly it has nothing to do with swine; it’s derived from the name of the British economist who coined it. I guess he would know piggery when he sees it!

In the end, I’m glad to have read this, but in my case it’s been an academic rather than practical endeavor. I would encourage law makers and politicians to be aware of these topics and check to see how any figures have changed over the past ten years. Think global and act local. Education is key.

Let’s all do our part for future generations!