Impact of climate will hit next generation

After the recent heat wave in Chicagoland - which brought two heat-related deaths - we cannot simply treat our irregular weather as a normal occurrence. There was record rainfall in May. Record cold temperatures in June. And with a heat wave in July followed by a record low, it is clear that our current climate is abnormal - and dangerous.

As a young person, it's true: I blame the government for the nation's issues and say "it's climate change" when the temperatures skyrocket all too often. But it's also true that our government needs to step up, politics aside, to solve our very real climate problem. Carbon emissions have continued to increase and its impact has become undeniable; we, the next generation, will have to deal with its consequences unless proper legislation is put into place.

Seeing solutions like the carbon dividends plan receive bipartisan support has made me optimistic that such legislation can exist. A carbon price and dividend will reduce emissions beyond those outlined in the Paris Agreement and will reward the American people and economy with its returns.

Our climate is changing, and it's time that lawmakers listen to their young constituents and work toward a solution.

David Hou

Hawthorn Woods