Many options to help

In the Feb. 8 op-ed “Carbon Taxes Alone Aren’t Good Climate Policy” by Gernot Wagner, while making a strong case that both taxes and subsidies will be necessary to put the planet on course to conquer the climate emergency, it doesn’t go quite far enough. What the world needs is not a “silver bullet” or two, but a “silver buckshot” that utilizes as many tools as possible.

A carbon tax, especially if it is joined by a dividend provided to all Americans, is the most effective way to quickly lower fossil fuel emissions without inflicting much financial pain. With renewable energy sources already cheaper than fossil fuels, a tax/dividend arrangement will simply speed up the switch to a green energy economy. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, with 78 co-sponsors in the House, is the best way to implement such an arrangement.

Subsidies, on the other hand, can give preference to solutions to the climate crisis that will focus us on personal choices that will make the most difference. So it’s important to re-establish subsidies for solar power and electric vehicles, which were removed when the current federal budget was passed.

But there is much more that must be done to fight the climate emergency. Sure, it’s good to plant a trillion trees, but stop cutting down mature forests. Instead of plowing under last year’s crop stubble, use regenerative farming to optimize capturing carbon in the soil. Make sure new building construction is green. The list goes on.

Assuring a livable planet for our grandchildren will take every tool in the toolkit. The most important one each of us has is our vote this year. Make sure you cast it for those who will make the climate emergency the center of their vision.

BRUCE COOPER

Cranberry

The writer is a group leader for the Slippery Rock chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.