Politics of carbon pricing

Of the world’s 10 leading economies only the U.S. and India don’t price carbon. The World Bank reports that 51 national and sub-national programs require companies producing greenhouse gases to pay for their air pollution, and the number of such initiatives rose sharply in 2017.

Relying on market forces rather than regulations, carbon pricing is widely acknowledged as the most efficient and feasible method to slow global warming,

“The world is warming, it’s because of us, we’re sure, and we can do something about it” (National Geographic, May 2017). “We’re sure” is the consensus of 97 percent of climate scientists and we can observe it ourselves. “We can do something about it” because - well, if we can’t, who can?

We transitioned from horse-drawn vehicles to automobiles. We went to the moon. We created a revolutionary way for people across the globe to communicate. We can do this. Pricing carbon will slow climate change and stimulate the economy, benefiting us all. It’s a win-win solution.

This election season, ask political candidates how they will work to address climate change. And become involved with groups like the nonpartisan Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Mary DuPree

Moscow, Idaho