How to Act on the Conclusions of the Fourth National Climate Assessment
The recently released Fourth National Climate Assessment emphasizes the need to take immediate action on climate change to prevent economic instability and “growing losses to American infrastructure” while preserving “the health and well-being of the American people.”
The report makes it clear that the benefits of acting now far outweigh any reasons to delay. Ignoring the risks of climate change in the face of widespread scientific consensus on the evidence would be like a gambler ignoring the odds stacked against them in a high-stakes game of chance.
Now more than ever, we need political leaders to act like responsible data-driven risk managers rather than gamblers. If we use evidence-based probabilities to manage risks in other areas of life, why wouldn’t we do the same when it comes to climate change?
It’s clear we must act now to ensure our future health, well-being and economic stability. But how?
The answer — with broad support from prominent figures across the political spectrum — is a carbon fee and dividend program.
And just yesterday, a bipartisan group of legislators — Ted Deutch (D-FL), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Charlie Crist (D-FL), and John Delaney (D-MD) — has introduced this idea as a bill called the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
This revenue-neutral bill will institute a carbon fee on fossil fuels with 100 percent of the collected fees returned to Americans in monthly dividends. The bill will reduce US carbon emissions by at least 40 percent within 12 years, helping us meet reduction targets to stave off the worst risks of climate change.
“To call this legislation a breakthrough is an understatement,” said Mark Reynolds, Executive Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
“Any long-term solution needs buy-in from both Republicans and Democrats. And now that their constituents are feeling the negative effects of climate change firsthand, both sides are more willing to cooperate on a solution that brings about real change.”
Those negative impacts that Americans are experiencing firsthand include the recent devastating fires in California and flooding in North Carolina from Hurricane Florence.
The changing climate sets the conditions that make devastating fires more likely and more frequent, and extends the fire season beyond the normal range. The same applies to the frequency and intensity of storms and hurricanes. This is truly the “new abnormal.” The trend will only worsen over the rest of this century unless we take collective action to address climate change.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is a no-brainer for any political leader ready to adopt an evidence-based approach to managing the risks of climate change. Call, write or tweet your representative and ask them to support this important bipartisan legislation.
