Daniela Brod, Eric Means and KB Mercer
Brod is a fourth-generation Oregonian and Democrat who lives in Portland. Mercer is a Democrat who lives in Portland. Means is the state climate coordinator for Trout Unlimited and a Republican who lives in Beaverton.
Nothing is more divisive in Oregon than climate action, right? Many Oregon Democrats say you can’t talk to Republicans about the climate.
Wrong.
We are volunteers for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a national network of citizens advocating bipartisan action to address climate change. We are also Oregonians who care deeply for this state, its landscapes and natural resources. Since last fall, volunteers from chapters throughout Oregon have joined others to talk to state legislators about federal-level climate solutions. We are heartened by the eagerness to work across the aisle. We even found that Republicans who walked out in opposition to statewide cap and trade legislation in previous years are eagerly supporting a national price on carbon.
Severity and frequency of fires, floods, droughts and the number of days over 100 degrees Fahrenheit are all increasing in Oregon. Scientists are not certain how much time we have to prevent the worst consequences. But one thing we all know is doing business as usual won’t cut it. The question becomes, “How will we accomplish this with a deeply divided Congress?”
In February 2020, Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, introduced Senate Joint Memorial 5, a measure urging Congress to pass the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 2307). This federal act would put a steadily increasing price on greenhouse gases and return the revenue to American households in a monthly carbon cashback dividend. The bill offers an elegant solution that would help reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050. It would mitigate economic impacts on lower-income households and save lives in frontline communities by reducing pollution and preventing the worst consequences of climate change. Over 3,500 economists support a carbon tax as the most cost-effective lever to reduce carbon emissions at the scale and speed that is necessary.
Conservatives like the Energy Innovation Act because it helps low-income and rural Americans, who can spend their dividend as they choose. The government doesn’t control how funds are spent. Instead of complex regulatory approaches to curb carbon pollution, this policy uses a carbon tax to incentivize innovation for affordable clean energy. Fees increase gradually, so businesses have time to reduce carbon emissions as new technologies for clean energy scale up.
Liberals like the act because it creates a simple system to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to levels set by the Paris Climate Agreement. Built-in triggers ensure that reduction goals are met and cannot be gamed by big business. This bill complements existing environmental regulations so corporations cannot offset their pollution into poorer neighborhoods. It stimulates innovation while ensuring economic justice to chronically disadvantaged communities.
Oregon’s SJM 5 doesn’t create new climate policy in Oregon, but its potential impact is great. Republicans walked out on statewide climate actions due to their limited scope and economic burdens that would fall only on Oregonians. If SJM 5 passes with bipartisan support, it will send a powerful and surprising message to members of Congress and state legislators nationwide that this policy is popular, possible and practical.
SJM 5 passed the Oregon Senate 23-5, including six Republican votes. The measure includes 45% of House members as co-sponsors, including five Republicans. In spite of this broad and deep bipartisan support, House leaders have not moved it forward. We urge them to not let political considerations hold it back. Members of the House Rules Committee, where the bill sits currently, are familiar with the measure, as are most representatives, so taking up this measure should not materially delay the many important bills that the House is rightly focused on.
Time is running out for action on climate. No excuses remain for the Oregon House leadership to delay SJM 5′s prompt hearing and vote. Oregon can lead the country toward bipartisanship and effective environmental action. Oregonians deserve it. Our future demands it.
Share your opinion
Submit your essay of 500-600 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.
"Opinion" - Google News
June 13, 2021 at 08:32PM
https://ift.tt/3wkZn8f
Opinion: Oregon can lead the nation in showing bipartisan support for climate action - OregonLive
"Opinion" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2FkSo6m
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
No comments:
Post a Comment