The first NASA climate scientist testified before Congress in 1988, stating concern about the cause and effect of warming temperatures and human emissions in the atmosphere. Now, 31 years later, Congress is beginning dialogue on climate change solutions.
It’s high time.
I applaud Sen. Cory Gardner’s recent op-ed, “Green New Deal is a raw new deal for Colorado” (April 4), inviting bipartisan collaboration on climate solutions. In it, he offers just one sentence on actions to take, mentioning tax incentives, and federal funding in research for clean energy technologies. He also, wisely, encourages “listening to experts.” Given the scope and time limit of our climate predicament, I invite a full, robust conversation on solutions from Gardner.
The U.N. recommends putting a price on carbon, as does climate-policy expert William Nordhaus of Yale.
The House “Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act” (with 27 co-sponsors) does just that. Pricing carbon unleashes powerful free market forces to innovate and invest without government regulation.
The price of inaction is not an option.
Karen Pontius
Durango
