Editor:
Young people are among the most concerned Americans about climate change. They have been energized recently by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg from Sweden. Young people, realizing the inevitable catastrophe and urgency if we do not act soon, want solutions now. This younger generation will be the most impacted if nothing is done to curb human caused carbon emissions.
Though it is the younger generation that will be most impacted, every American has already suffered as a result of climate change. In Idyllwild, we are all concerned about wildfires, power outages, flooding and drought. As carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases increase and the average global temperatures continue to rise, drought, wildfires and floods will have an ever-increasing impact on our community.
Locally, the Idyllwild chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby is working in support of a bipartisan bill, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763), that will effectively reduce carbon emissions. H.R. 763 would implement a carbon fee and dividend plan and would be revenue-neutral (meaning no new taxes). The bill would also improve people’s health and save lives by reducing pollution and create new jobs. The vast majority of America’s economists believe a carbon fee and dividend would boost our economy. Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., D-Palm Desert, is open to climate change solutions but has yet to endorse H.R. 763.
At the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, one cowboy poet put it this way, “If climate science is suggesting we should take steps to reduce our use of fossil fuels … is in error, and we take the suggested action anyway, the downside will be that we’ve left more fossil fuel in the ground for our descendants. If the preponderance of climate science is correct, and we do nothing to alter our carbon footprint, the downside will be that we’ve rendered our planet uninhabitable for humans and many other species, all for the short-term gains of those who currently benefit most from the status quo.”
We need to work together now, on a bipartisan basis, to solve climate change for ourselves, our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
For all those concerned about climate change, the Idyllwild Citizens’ Climate Lobby hosts an informative, inspiring national meeting via the internet on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Idyllwild Library. The next meeting will be on Nov 9. All ages are welcome!
Frank Baele,
Idyllwild
