Carbon Dividend Act will make a difference

As a freshman at Terra Linda High School involved in the Marin School of Environmental Leadership program, I am inspired to write about the proposed Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (House Resolution 763).

Recently, Marin County and the Bay Area have endured power shutoffs because of dangerous fire weather amid record-breaking heat waves along the coastal region. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. administered the shutoffs to stabilize power grids and ensure that compromised equipment won’t start a fire. The shutoffs are dangerous and upsetting.

How can we reduce the number of blackouts? What is the root cause for this now-annual occurrence? We must consider how climate change is affecting our world. According to data I read, the amount of greenhouse gasses and carbon dioxide released in the air is not being absorbed fast enough during the Earth’s natural carbon cycle. This causes the ozone layer to get thicker and trap more of the sun’s heat in the Earth. This heat entrapment causes the heat waves that are felt in the Bay Area today.

How can we fix this issue? By reducing the release of carbon dioxide in the air and using green energy resources, I believe the number of high-temperature days will decrease. Congress can help by passing HR 763. This bill will reduce 40% of our greenhouse gasses in the first 12 years and will provide 2.1 million new jobs.

Another benefit is that the bill is bipartisan, which might help unite more political parties of our country. Although we are physically isolated due to COVID-19, we can still unite to help stop climate change and help our world. Go to energyinnovationact.org to learn more.

— Annie Sung, San Rafael