Carbon pricing is key to fighting climate change

The July 19 article, "Merkle tours 'surreal' flood scene, vows climate action," reported that the German chancellor said there must be faster action against climate change. Fortunately, agreement that we are damaging our climate is widespread. In the U.S., the climate debate between Democrats and Republicans is now focused on what to do about the climate. For example, the House and Senate created a Climate Solutions Caucus, with a membership of several dozen Republicans and Democrats.

A big part of reducing greenhouse gases that cause climate change is to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. There is now considerable support for "carbon pricing," whereby fees are charged for CO2 emitted by certain sources of carbon pollution, such as power plants, steel and cement factories and producers and importers of fuels (including crude oil, natural gas and coal).

Carbon pricing is a market-based solution that lets carbon polluters decide whether and how to reduce their pollution and encourages innovation and investment in clean energy. It reduces the patchwork of local and state regulations and is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Petroleum Institute and the Business Roundtable (an association of CEOs of major corporations).

As Sen. Lindsey Graham said, "CO2 emissions generated by man is (sic) creating our greenhouse gas effect that traps heat and the planet is warming. A price on carbon - that's the way to go."

I encourage readers to email their U.S. senators and representative in support of carbon pricing legislation now being considered in both the Senate and House. Joining Citizens Climate Lobby or a similar group is another great way to fight climate change.

As the saying goes, "There is no planet B." If our children and grandchildren ask what we did about climate change, let's have a good answer.

Gary Jump

Itasca