TO THE EDITOR:
The Feb. 4 letter “Reversing climate change starts with us” suggests individual actions to combat climate change, but the worldwide scientific community says that individual, even statewide or regional actions will be too little too late to prevent “catastrophic” climate change. For that we’ll need national legislation with a global impact.
Fortunately, we have a proven plan for that which will have major economic benefits for ordinary Americans.
Zero carbon emissions can get us millions of new jobs, more disposable income every month for every taxpayer, lower energy bills and lower taxes.That’s been British Columbia’s experience since they began rebating a steadily-escalating carbon pollution tax to every taxpayer every month in equal checks.
This is projected to increase U.S. GDP over $75 billion annually. As the fee makes all fossil fuels more expensive every year, people use their tax rebates to buy clean energy as it gets cheaper every year, till it’s practically free.
This plan can use market forces to make other nations cut their emissions as much and as fast as we do.
This is a no-brainer. Worsening climate change costs Americans hundreds of billions annually. Clean energy will save Americans hundreds of billion annually just in reduced medical bills for carbon-caused illnesses and reduce the over 200,000 Americans annual death from carbon pollution every year.
You can make climate change start with you in a big way by volunteering to become a citizen lobbyist in Congress. Visit https://citizensclimatelobby.org/.
Lynn Goldfarb
