A bipartisan solution

Bipartisanship is in short supply these days, and it is often mistrusted by both sides when it does happen. There is one bipartisan group, however, we all can feel good about supporting, the Climate

Solutions Caucus

(CSC) in the U.S.

House of Representatives. This caucus serves “as an organization to educate members on economically viable options to reduce climate risk and protect our nation’s economy, security, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, and public safety.” Americans overwhelmingly believe that global warming is happening, and that carbon emissions should be scaled back. The CSC is exploring ways to do this that both sides can embrace.

One solution the CSC is asked to enact is the carbon fee and dividend policy. “A national, revenue-neutral carbon fee-and-dividend system would place a predictable, steadily rising price on carbon, with all fees collected minus administrative costs returned to households as a monthly energy dividend.” Other industries pay to clean up their waste. Why should the fossil-carbon industry be let off the hook? Returning this revenue as a dividend to every family would spur consumer spending. It would be good for conserving our environment and good for our economy.

The CSC and the dividend system are supported by nonprofit, nonpartisan groups such as Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Audubon Society, and Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light. I call upon the entire Arkansas congressional delegation, especially my own congressman, Rep. French Hill, to join the Climate Solutions Caucus and support the carbon fee and dividend policy to address global warming in a bipartisan way.

DONNAL WALTER

Roland