I agree that the United States must act on climate change and our local politicians have the power and duty to do so. One important step that Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, could do is to join the House Climate Solutions Caucus. This bipartisan group is educating itself and other legislators on the science of climate change and common-sense solutions.
She and her staff could also talk with the Conservative Climate Leadership Council about their carbon fee and dividend proposal. This is one of the carbon “tax” ideas being discussed as the most effective actions the nation could take. The group Citizen’s Climate Lobby also proposes a carbon fee, not tax, to keep the money out of the hands of the government and go right back to households in the form of a check. Yes, we would all get a check in the mail. It’s a great proposal that has growing national support. Vancouver will not escape the consequences of a warming planet.
