Wrong side of history

After reading that the Arkansas governor and congressional delegation approved the U.S. exit from the Paris climate accord, I was saddened. President Trump’s decision to abandon the world community isolates America. Their statements abound with hyperbole that the Paris agreement will harm the economy and cost jobs. Ignored was advice to remain from the world’s largest retailer—Wal-Mart—as well as many other corporations which do business in Arkansas that it is beneficial to curb carbon pollution.

We can end dependency on fossil fuels, create jobs and grow the economy with Carbon Fee and Dividend (CF&D). As the price of fossil fuels (the carbon pollution emitters) increases with the annually rising fee, polluters quickly find cleaner and more efficient ways to produce energy. This leads to more investment into clean, renewable energy. The money is given back to consumers and employers.

The returned fee will assist lowincome families with energy costs. Businesses will have incentive to create more jobs as their dividend is hinged to the number of permanent employees. A recent Yale University poll reported almost half of Trump voters and two-thirds of moderate Republicans support a carbon tax.

Gentlemen, please to read “The Conservative Case for Carbon Dividends.” This study is the work of leading Republicans: James Baker III, George Schultz (both served as secretary of State and Treasury) and Rob Walton, Wal-Mart chairman, 1992-2010.

Even with the U.S. beginning the process of leaving the Paris Accord, companies, cities and states are moving ahead with carbon pollution reduction policies and an investment in a clean future. Please let’s don’t let Arkansas once again be on the wrong side of history! An overwhelming majority know that curbing carbon pollution is good business. ROBERT McAFEE

Hackett