Tax a car, tax a computer?

There's been a lot of discussion recently about Richmond's controversial decision to tax the parking of 4x4s and other "gas-guzzling" vehicles, in a bid to encourage more environmentally friendly cars. It's got me pondering the idea of computer tax and whether this is something the future holds. We are approaching an era of at least one computer per household and businesses are becoming more and more environmentally aware, partnering with organisations such as Carbon Neutral, which offset any carbon emissions the company produces, through their Trees For Cities foundation.

Not so long ago, the BBC reported on the Cooperative Bank being linked with a similar foundation. The Coop were offering a "green" mortgage, you sign up and they will help find tree planting schemes in Uganda. Highlighting the creation of jobs and "enhancing" the wealth in Uganda, the BBC's report actually showed that the scheme was more of a hindrence than a help to the community, with employees being offered very little in the way of wage and villagers needing to make alternative routes to find water and firewood, given the trees are no longer just anyone's - they are now bought.

Green cars, green planes, green companies, green houses, green finances....contrary to a certain mobile company, the future looks red, green and very very blue :(