As of Feb. 19, 2021, the United States has rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement. It is imperative that the U.S. not only remain in this agreement but provide leadership for the countries that have signed. The agreement is a legally binding, international treaty on climate change, signed by 196 state parties. It is an acknowledgment that climate change is happening, is caused by humans and if not curtailed will be extremely detrimental to all mankind. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
To achieve this goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.
It is a landmark process because for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects. For more information go to unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement .
The U.S. can achieve its goal in many ways. One of the most promising is a bipartisan bill offered in the House last year soon to be reintroduced. It is called the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, EICDA. Simply put, a fee is placed at the source on any fossil fuel that creates the pollution associated with climate change. The money generated by the fees is returned to every American in the form of a dividend so the activity is revenue neutral. The increases in the fossil fuel prices will obviously ripple through the economy. It will have two effects:
1. Promoting overall conservation of this resource.
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2. Providing an even playing field for non-polluting energy sources. It is expected that innovation in alternative energies will increase substantially. For more information on EICDA, go to energyinnovationact.org .
Please contact your congressman, Tom Tiffany, (perhaps on Earth Day, April 22) and urge him to support The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
Patricia Pesko,
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
