Bipartisan proposal in Congress would help

During a recent week, Vernon Hills and the surrounding area was inundated with two nights of extremely powerful thunderstorms. My family, along with many others, watched weather reports as they flashed warnings across our screens. Rotation patterns were seen in the clouds and lightning struck in a staccato rhythm all through the night. By Friday, streets around us were flooded and impassable, neighbors were discussing leaky roofs and my family was picking up pieces of broken trees out of our yard.

These dangerous weather events, while not generally uncommon, are becoming more frequent and, distressingly, more intense. We have seen destruction in the world due to weather in recent months, with news reports about Hurricane Dorian, fires in the Alaskan wilderness, and extreme water shortages in India and other parts of the globe.

In our own back yard, overly frequent rain set Illinois farmers back, with some choosing not to plant at all. And recently, The Global Commission on Adaptation released its report which warns of a 30% crop reduction worldwide by 2050 if we do not find ways to adapt to climate change, with small farms bearing the worst effects.

Mother Nature is clearly signaling trouble, as human carbon emissions rise continually, exacerbating the problem.

It's high time we discuss setting a tax on carbon. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763, is a true bipartisan solution that, when combined with other efforts to expand renewable sources of energy, would help curb emissions and promote a market-based approach, actually putting money into citizen's pockets. Our suburban congressmen should offer their support, to create a future we can all get behind, regardless of differences.

We're all affected by extremes in weather. Let's have the courage to work together and find a common ground solution with H.R. 763

Todd McGill-Rusynyk

Vernon Hills