A message to Rep. Gibson on climate change

Posted 8/21/12

The elections are over, and now that the dust has settled I’d like to congratulate Chris Gibson on his re-election as our representative in Congress. I am thrilled that he has publicly acknowledged …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

A message to Rep. Gibson on climate change

Posted

The elections are over, and now that the dust has settled I’d like to congratulate Chris Gibson on his re-election as our representative in Congress. I am thrilled that he has publicly acknowledged the evidence supporting the human contribution to climate change. Rep. Gibson has indicated that sound environmental policy is one of his priorities, and he is well positioned to help overcome the gridlock in Congress and actually make progress in addressing this issue. Climate change is not some vague future risk. It’s happening now, and will only worsen with time. We’re spending tens of millions of dollars annually to clean up after extreme weather events, and the cost will continue to increase as we attempt to upgrade infrastructure.

There is a solution that is so simple it’s hard to believe: a steadily rising fee on carbon at the point of extraction, with 100% return to American households. It has been clearly shown in a detailed analysis by a well recognized nonpartisan economic modeling group (REMI) that this approach will create jobs, cut CO2 to 50% of 1990 levels, and add almost $1 trillion to the GDP over 20 years.

I urge Rep. Gibson to stand by his promise, take the lead, and introduce such legislation. It’s a win-win. A revenue neutral carbon fee would not only boost our economy, but would also preserve our world for our children and grandchildren.

Barton H. Schoenfeld, MD, FACC

Valatie, NY

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here