May 2019 - The Bad News: In 2018, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.5% in the US and 2.7% globally. While the politics has been difficult, the technological fix is clear: A complete change-over from fossil fuels and nuclear to electricity from renewables, even for heating and vehicles. Already, in many places, energy from wind and solar, backed up by large-scale battery storage, is cheaper than electricity from fossil fuels and nuclear sources. If we could raise the cost of fossil fuels and provide people with the money to make the change-over, that would do it.
The Good News: There is a simple way of doing that at zero cost to the government. It's called Carbon-Fee-Dividend. It consists of the government collecting a gradually rising carbon fee at all coal mines, oil and gas well-heads and ports, and distributing the collected fees as "dividends" to all residents, equally per person. As the carbon fee rises, it will increase the consumer prices for gasoline, oil, and natural gas. The rich will end up paying dearly to use their yachts and private jets. But the bottom 82% will see a net gain—especially the bottom 50%—who could then use their dividends to pay to switch to clean electric, and pocket the money from then on. The transition to renewable energy will also generate millions of jobs which will narrow the gap between rich and poor.
TAKE ACTION
House bill H.763, introduced by T. Deutch (D-FL) with 26 co-sponsors, incorporates this plan and needs publicity and support. Urge your Representative to co-sponsor and speak out in support of this bill. Many economists, both Democratic and Republican, say that this is the most effective and efficient way to go. We have no time to lose to save ourselves and the Earth from increasingly virulent fires, floods, droughts and rising oceans.
CONTACT: Your Representative in Congress
- Web: Find his or her name and link to their websites at house.gov; send an email or leave a message via ‘Contact’ on his/her website
- Tel: 202 224-3121 (Capitol switchboard-ask for his/her office & leave a message)
- Mail: Representative (first & last name) S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515
Multiply this Message: Write a letter to the editor about this important & timely issue. This is a powerful way to educate and mobilize others.