I’ve talked recently about global warming and environmental issues, and I totally support initiatives that helps reduce CO2 emissions such as the carbon offset (or carbon trading) programs which Cathay Pacific, Tesco, Expedia, Virgin and many more companies are adopting, but this article from the Russian news agency takes the global warming issue to a whole new level!

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Belgium to impose tax on barbequing to fight global warming

12:27 | 03/ 04/ 2007

BRUSSELS, April 3 (RIA Novosti) - The government of Belgium’s French-speaking region of Wallonia, which has a population of about 4 million, has approved a tax on barbequing, local media reported.

Experts said that between 50 and 100 grams of CO2, a so-called greenhouse gas, is emitted during barbequing. Beginning June 2007, residents of Wallonia will have to pay 20 euros for a grilling session.

The local authorities plan to monitor compliance with the new tax legislation from helicopters, whose thermal sensors will detect burning grills.

Scientists believe CO2 emissions are a major cause of global warming.

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First of all, taxes on barbequing??? The Belgians need to recheck their priorities! I am 100% sure there are at least a million other more harmful causes of CO2 all around them that should be looked at before barbequing!!

Second, and more important …. they will be using helicopters to monitor barbequing to prevent CO2 emission …. hmmmm, lets go over that again, HELICOPTERS will be flying around all day trying to find if anyone has his grill on!! Are they magical helicopters that move around with the help of the chopper fairy?? Here’s an idea to cut emissions, how about we ban helicopters from circling over the city all day long??