Demand action on climate change

Thank you for your report “Government climate report warns of worsening US disasters.” The government report is the clearest statement to date that human activity is driving 90 percent of global warming, that significant costs have already resulted from inaction, and that the problem will get much worse.

Given that the report was assembled by 13 federal agencies, one huge question is left unanswered: Why doesn’t President Donald Trump believe his own scientists? Ignoring the report’s call to action and risking a 10 percent decline in the health of the U.S. economy, as well as putting at risk the physical health of citizens, is irresponsible.

Trump, if he were to take responsibility, would take the lead in placing an immediate and annually rising fee on carbon emissions. The fee, placed on energy suppliers, would go right back to households as a dividend to offset fossil fuel price increases. A torrent of investment in non-carbon-emitting energy sources would follow once markets knew that fossil fuel prices will keep increasing. In about 5 years, non-emitting alternatives would become cheaper than fossil fuels, causing the market to flip towards green energy.

Studies show this approach grows jobs and gross domestic product, and dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions. If the White House continues to refuse to act to prevent a hotter future, call your elected representatives and tell them to join the 33 Democrats and 33 Republicans in the congressional Climate Solutions Caucus. Demand action now!

Andrew Panelli, Homer Glen