A gift for all time

Since mid-20th century, concern has been growing, like mountains of discards, about accumulating trash. I wonder about how I can gift my children and theirs a better world.

As I’ve aged, I’ve realized time passes with increasing swiftness. I don’t have much left. My kids and their descendants will have to deal with those piles of discarded gifts and with unpredictable consequences of global warming.

For 25 years, 200 nations have convened annually seeking collaborative solutions to climate change. Last year, for the first time, the U.S. was not involved. Yet Congress is engaged. A bipartisan bill, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, would introduce a graduated fee on carbon to reduce emissions. Fees collected would be used for “carbon dividends,” to be returned to citizens. Google the bill, then encourage your representative – Cathy McMorris Rodgers or Russ Fulcher — to support it. Also work with the Palouse chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby to garner local support.

For future generations’ climate relief, we’ve got to lead with the EICDA, to continue collaborating with all the world’s nations to control carbon emissions and reverse global warming. Our kids, their kids — all kids depend on us.

Peter Haug

Colfax