Wednesday, April 21, 2021 | 2 a.m.
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It’s gratifying that businesses are pushing for strong measures to deal with climate change. This after a supposedly pro-business administration not only refused to acknowledge the severity of the climate crisis but actually denounced it as a hoax. Thank goodness that administration was replaced by one that supports science and intends to propose an ambitious climate agenda.
More than 300 businesses and investors, including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Coca-Cola, signed on to a letter saying they want to see greenhouse gas emissions cut by at least 50% by 2030, nearly double the previous commitment. Achieving this would require huge changes in many economic sectors. So what is their motive? Businesses want to sell products or services, and a strong economy is essential to their profitability. They want a robust post-pandemic recovery. When the economy is strong, Americans benefit, and so do businesses.
In addition, many businesses came out in favor of market-based strategies to address climate change, among them support for carbon pricing. The American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable and others have spoken; they would rather see a simple fee on sources of carbon production rather than a cumbersome set of regulations.
Businesses would compete to create innovative new technology to accomplish this goal, and new good jobs would result. As the demand for renewable energy increases, Nevada stands to benefit as a prime exporter from our abundant supply of solar, wind, and geothermal resources.
