Carbon tax can help protect our legacy

What is most important?

This is a debatable question, but most people agree one answer is to make the world a better place for our children. As Earth Day approaches, it is a good time to reflect on what kind of planet we want to leave to our children. Certainly we want a place where they can be healthy and have a fair chance to be successful and happy. That is why it is unconscionable that we are dumping so many problems on future generations, particularly the warming of the planet.

A recent article in the Daily Herald "Documents show Shell foresaw climate change" (April 8), documented that Shell Oil scientists knew about global warming as early as 1981 and warned of consequences that are coming true now because of inaction. We can't in good conscience continue to ignore the problem or pretend there is nothing we can do. It is time for us to support a bipartisan, effective, economy-boosting solution that will protect those most vulnerable.

Carbon fee and dividend is such a solution. Citizens' Climate Lobby has been promoting such a plan to our members of Congress for several years. Place a steadily rising fee on fossil fuels, give 100 percent of the net revenue back to households each month and use a border carbon adjustment to stop business relocation. Look up CCL online and encourage your congressman to join in the effort to solve climate change by supporting carbon fee and dividend legislation.

Mark Ailes

Lombard