Climate change

Every day we get another report about how climate change is impacting weather, natural disasters, shorelines, and habitats. Despite these reports, myths persist about how climate scientists are in it for the money, the climate is in a natural cycle, and climate scientists are split on whether climate change is real.

We think climate change’s impact is a long time away or is geographically remote or is so big there is nothing we can do. Fortunately, a bipartisan group of representatives have broken through the noise and introduced legislation to combat climate change.

At the national level, three Republicans and three Democrats have introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2018 (HR 7173). The legislation enacts a fee on the production of fossil fuels; this revenue provides a monthly dividend to Americans with no funds for the government other than administrative cost; protects American manufacturers by having a border carbon adjustment; limits carbon emission regulation in return for meeting carbon emission standards; and incentivizes the development of clean energy.

This legislation will reduce our carbon emissions by at least 40% within 12 years, stimulate our economy by creating 2.1 million jobs in the clean energy economy, and improve our air quality and health.

To learn more, go to cclusa.org/bill, or attend a local meeting of the Annapolis Chapter of the CCL. Call your representatives and ask that they learn about this legislation and support it in the next session of Congress.

JIM O’REILLY

Glen Burnie

Editor’s Note: Jim O’Reilly is a member of the Annapolis chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby.