Time for optimism: Be an Earth Responder

 While we are inundated by news of another flood or overrun by news of regions desiccated by record heat and wildfire, it is time to be optimistic and act. 

Nations are acting. The EU and China are crafting legislation to decisively reduce carbon pollution. Canada has a Carbon Pollution Fee. Nations are employing carbon neutral policies.  

National macro-solutions use two strategies to humanely reduce the burning of coal, oil, and gas. One is the carbon credit trading system, the second a carbon pollution penalty. 

Using carbon credits, a carbon polluter must buy credits from a carbon sequestering business. For example, a natural gas power plant could buy credits from a business that protects the Amazon Rainforest.  Since a polluter must buy credits, it raises his operating cost forcing him to pollute less.

The straightforward method to entice industry to come clean is by imposing a penalty for dumping carbon garbage in the air. This is done via carbon taxes.

My favored, well-researched solution is a carbon pollution fee coupled with a citizen dividend. 

This is a Team America solution. The fee, like a tax, is levied on carbon emitters which raises the price of dirty energy. In contrast, though, the proceeds are returned to the American Citizen as a dividend. This solution is called a carbon pollution fee and dividend. (CPF&D)

The slowly rising fee incentivizes polluters to improve their performance. Simultaneously, the CPF&D rewards patriots who insulate their homes and wisely use clean energy. All studies indicate CPF&D spurs economic growth.

How can we make this happen? 

Right now, the government is crafting the annual reconciliation package which requires only a majority to pass. Thus, citizens must let their senators know we want a Carbon Fee and Dividend. We can do this by writing letters, sending e-mails, or calling. This is not difficult and Citizens Climate Lobby makes it even easier. Go to:   https://citizensclimatelobby.org/senate/ . It took me two minutes to send the e-mails.  

If you are older, like me, I encourage you to ask your son or daughter or any young person to help. Why? Our younger generations need to know we care. Not only about their climate future but our democracy. 

The number one solution the science community and economists promote to tame the climate beast is to put a price on carbon. The Carbon Pollution Fee and Dividend does this.

I proudly wear an American Association for the Advancement of Science T-shirt with the earth emblazoned on it. Around it is printed: “Earth Responder–Let’s Change Climate Change”. 

Now is our chance to respond.

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