Take future seriously

As a junior in high school, I and many of my friends are worried about our future if our leaders don’t take climate legislation seriously by reflecting the values of those they represent. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communications states that 50-55 percent of Arkansas Republicans and 8590 percent of Arkansas Democrats say that carbon should be regulated as a pollutant, yet none of the Arkansas Congress members — Steve Womack, French Hill, Bruce Westerman, or Rick Crawford — have publicly endorsed HR763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019. Neither have our two senators, John Boozman or Tom Cotton.

If passed, this bill will reduce U.S. carbon emissions by 40 percent or more within the first 12 years of its passing, lead the world toward a carbon-neutral future, and create 2.1 million jobs across the nation. To ensure economic security, all the money collected from the fee would be returned to the American people in equal shares so regular people don’t suffer financially from the actions of corporations.

Members of Congress should work for the people they represent, and Arkansans want change. It is time to put partisan politics aside, listen to science, and work together to leave the planet better than we found it. For more information, visit the Citizens Climate Lobby website. Although this bill is not the only solution on the table for the climate crisis, it is a step in the right direction that would result in positive change for our planet’s future. This bill would drive solutions to the climate crisis that will benefit our health and economy, and now has a chance of passing with a new administration. I’m asking our congressmen to take our future seriously. LATHAN SMALLEY

Rogers