Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Demand carbon tax, and be heard

I was saddened by the New York Times story “Climate change is bankrupting America’s small towns,” published Sept. 13 in the Sun. The human cost of these tragedies is inestimable as climate refugees are forced to relocate after losing their homes.

Damage to public health is an equally distressing climate issue. Recently, 200 health journals issued a joint statement citing climate change as the greatest threat to global public health. These respected journals assert that the world can’t wait for the COVID-19 pandemic to pass before addressing climate change. It’s estimated that poor air quality is responsible for as many as 1 in 10 American deaths and the sickening of thousands more.

The health costs of fossil fuel air pollution are estimated at $188 billion annually. The Nevada State Medical Association has endorsed placing a price on carbon emissions as one of the quickest, easiest and most effective ways to reduce them.

Congress is finally taking the emergency seriously. After senators received 54,000 calls from their constituents demanding carbon pricing, the Senate is now proposing it in its proposed budget reconciliation bill.

President Joe Biden has set a goal of 50% emissions reductions by 2030 but so far, the proposed policies only get to about 45%.A robust price on carbon as an accelerant to other climate-mitigating remedies would ensure that America can prevent the worst impacts of global warming.

Contact Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and tell them you want carbon pricing in the reconciliation bill.