Recent climate news begs nation’s response

An article on Page 1A of the Nov. 24 Democrat-Gazette (“Climate report predicts economic harm”) points out some of the impending consequences of man-made climate change. This is a report generated by 13 federal agencies, as part of the National Climate Assessment, a quadrennial report mandated by law. The report was issued by the administration over the Thanksgiving weekend, apparently hoping it would get little attention.

The report contains alarming predictions of the costs attributed to climate change of hundreds of billions of dollars, including heat-related deaths, sea-level rise, and infrastructure damage by the end of the century. The report also states that “Rising temperatures, extreme heat, drought, wildfire on rangelands and heavy downpours are expected to increasingly disrupt agricultural productivity in the U.S.” On Dec. 9, the Democrat-Gazette also published an editorial from the Washington Post (“A big footprint”) noting that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are up by 2.5 percent over last year. It is increasingly obvious that business as usual, relying on market forces, is not going to be adequate to solve the problem and more aggressive efforts are needed.

The approach most favored by experts is a fee on greenhouse gas emissions, with the proceeds rebated to consumers to make the process revenue neutral. Canada has passed such a law, to be in effect Jan. 1.

On a positive note in the United States, there is a bill in process in the U.S. House of Representatives to implement a similar plan, called the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 7173. This is a bipartisan bill originally sponsored by two republicans and three democrats. This bill would result in significantly reduced emissions, protect low- and middle-income people from price increases, reduce health care costs and create an estimated 2 million new jobs.

Climate change is too serious to be a partisan issue. If you are concerned for the future of our children and grandchildren, please ask Rep. Womack or your congressional representative to review and support this bill.

ROBERT BROWN

Bella Vista