Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021 | 2 a.m.
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Climate change is knocking at our door, from deadly wildfires near Lake Tahoe to extreme storms like Hurricane Ida. While it can be difficult to link any individual climate event to our warming planet, we know that climate change will make natural events like these more frequent and severe.
Here in Nevada, the risks are especially pronounced. Climate change will bring more heat waves, disrupt daily life, endanger health and scare away tourists. Temperature rise will also decrease rainfall, leading to dwindled lakes, rivers and reservoirs, and a diminished economy. And that’s just the start.
That’s why we need timely action and why it’s more important than ever that Congress rises to meet the moment.
Fortunately, a clear and growing majority of Americans want leadership on climate change, and Congress is beginning to respond. There is a wide range of climate proposals, from the Trillion Trees Act to the Civilian Climate Corps.
However, missing in action is the most important climate tool of them all: carbon pricing. As Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has underscored, “We cannot solve climate change without effective carbon pricing.”
No other policy mechanism would work as quickly and efficiently to deliver emission reductions while also creating a level playing field for energy innovation and competition. Through a clear market signal, carbon pricing would accelerate the use of renewable energy and guide the economy in a cleaner direction.
What’s more, returning carbon price revenue to citizens as direct checks would help make the policy both popular and durable. This approach would put money back in the pockets of Nevada workers and families and provide a salient benefit that voters recognize and appreciate. We need only look to the COVID-19 relief checks and Child Tax Credits to see how popular these direct checks would be.
Given these merits, carbon pricing and dividends have earned a remarkable breadth of support—from economists to business leaders to environmental experts to students and more.
Over 3,500 U.S. economists, including many here in Nevada, have endorsed this policy approach. So too have the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and U.S. business leaders.
On college campuses, more than 400 student body presidents across the country, including here in Nevada, have united in support of carbon dividends. This group includes young people across the political spectrum, highlighting the broad appeal of this market-based plan.
And just a few weeks ago, more than 700 high school student leaders from all 50 states — including winners of national science, debate and economics competitions, Scripps National Spelling Bee Champions, and more — joined forces to advance the carbon dividends strategy.
On climate change, good intentions are welcome. But what matters most is results. That’s why, with so much at stake for our generation, young people are coalescing around this crucial policy solution.
As the nation’s eyes turn to Congress, it is time for our elected leaders to do the same. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has already proven herself to be an environmental champion, supporting efforts to promote cleaner transportation, prevent and detect wildfires, and ensure access to safe drinking water.
Now we must stick to the landing and unleash the most powerful tool available to address climate challenge. Congress has a clear opportunity and authority. It just needs to act.
For young voters like me, no issue is of greater consequence than climate change and there is no cause of greater urgency than delivering solutions that actually go the distance. At this pivotal moment, leading on carbon pricing would help secure our future and, with it, our generation’s eternal gratitude.
Susan Florian is a student at UNLV and president of the Nevada Young Democrats.
