that sounds like a great way to externalize a lot of negative consequences to counter one known corruption problem.
just stop subsidizing oil & gas, including through regulatory capture, and price travel explicitly accounting for comprehensive cost. price in the externalities through multiple measures, like a carbon tax, a use tax, etc., and use those proceeds to counteract the negative externalities.
Alas. We no longer have the luxury of incentives, incrementalism, and relying on emergent behavior. We need aggressive policies and massive investments.
And I'm fresh out of both patience and goodwill.
Today, I agree 100% with Saul Griffith, David Roberts, and a handful of others. Here's two example action plans that I support:
How to decarbonize America — and create 25 million jobs
https://www.vox.com/podcasts/2020/8/27/21403184/saul-griffit...
The US South could save money by cleaning up its power grid
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/9/1/21407275...
Let the travelers decide for themselves how to spend their most precious resource: time.
Read Caro's The Power Broker. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_Broker
TLDR:
Post WWII, NYC's Robert Moses figured out how to exfiltrate money from the public (subways, buses, rail, autos) and leverage that cash flow to finance his major works projects, thereby funneling capital back to bankers, realtors, developers, contractors. Every other jurisdiction followed his lead. Resulting in today's terrible land use and congestion.
Sure, Moses had help. But he was the criminal mastermind. He orchestrated the wholesale theft of our time, our money, our precious open spaces, our health, our homes, our natural resources.
We have no moral obligation to keep paying for his crimes.