The Columbian’s Oct. 21 editorial “In Our View — Cheers & Jeers: Wildfire bill worthy of our applause” supports prevention of wildfires. I can’t help but agree strongly.
This summer, as my family and I drove through Northern California, Oregon and into Washington back from a friend’s wedding, our trip was littered with wildfires, and for most of the drive, we didn’t even want to get out of the car as the smoke was so thick. Our family road trip was just a few weeks before the Gorge fire. It became very apparent that our great Pacific Northwest wilderness was threatened and that I had taken this beautiful scenery for granted.
The local effects of climate change deserve preventive action. One solution would be to put a price on carbon. A carbon price would motivate businesses to innovate and create less pollution. Even better, a revenue-neutral tax would give money back to local families, providing a resource cycle and a boost to the economy.
A revenue-neutral carbon tax seems like a win-win preventive solution. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, should listen to local opinion on this issue and take action.
