By PETER B. LORD, The Providence Journal

Despite speculation by some that putting a tax on carbon emissions will be disastrous for the economy, 10 states are poised to do just that starting Jan. 1. Those who participated in two recent auctions of carbon credits by the states suggest the program can work without damaging the economy, while serving as a model for the country.

Despite speculation by some that putting a tax on carbon emissions will be disastrous for the economy, 10 states are poised to do just that starting Jan. 1. Those who participated in two recent auctions of carbon credits by the states suggest the program can work without damaging the economy, while serving as a model for the country.

For the first time this year, environmentalists in Canada were happy to see a federal election fought over environmental issues, particularly a carbon tax to combat global warming. But then the financial crisis hit. And this week, the Liberal party and its environmental program were defeated.

WARWICK, R.I. -- Judy Gendron and her four friends had just sat down to eat on the small deck on the side of her condominium here recently when they heard a loud cracking noise. Seconds later, they were falling to the ground, with a second deck overhead crashing down and pinning them in the rubble.

Consider two extremes of tourism: In Tombstone, Ariz., 1,100 residents host some 600,000 visitors a year who stay an average of two hours and spend just $8 each.

In the Republic of Ireland, the government maintains the rural landscape as well as a strong sense of community and history while its economy soars and it attracts millions of tourists each year.