Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 | 2 a.m.
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For our climate, the time is now — it’s do or die. We already face critical threats to our water supply in Southern Nevada, and to our forests, coastlines, air and oceans around the world.
A new administration brings hope for action but as mentioned in the Nov. 16 editorial “Drought, hurricane season demand action on climate change,” executive orders will not be powerful enough to bring about the rapid, economy-wide change we need.
Additionally, we have seen executive actions become nothing more than political footballs, getting passed and rescinded by successive administrations. Only bipartisan action will be politically durable and resistant to court challenges.
The most powerful single action to change carbon emissions across the economy is pricing carbon. When the carbon fee is returned to Americans as a dividend, consumers and economic growth are protected. This approach is favored by many liberals as well as conservative-leaning groups such as the Business Roundtable, economists and young Republicans. It truly is an opportunity for effective, important and durable bipartisan action.
I urge our members of Congress to support this concept by cosponsoring the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
