Letter to the editor: A price for CO2 is good for the economy, social justice, health and the environment

There is terrifying news from around the world about the effects of climate change. We are not helpless; We now have a rare opportunity to make a profound difference by asking our agents in Washington, DC to include a price on carbon in the Budget Alignment Act.

Do you remember cigarette addiction? So many Americans died horrific, unnecessary deaths. Federal advertising campaigns brought little good. After all, they are collecting a tax on cigarettes and many people are quitting smoking, saving countless lives and funding health care for those in need. Similarly, a carbon price could add a revenue-neutral fee on emissions paid by fossil fuel producers and send the proceeds to American households to cover rising fuel costs. Requiring the fossil fuel industry to finally pay for its pollution of our atmosphere would counterbalance the economic conditions for clean electricity and fuel clean energy innovation, job growth and the economy. Economists from both parties agree: this is the best first step in solving climate change. A carbon price is good for the economy, social justice, our health, the environment and the future of our children. We can’t afford to wait.

Call your US representatives in the House and Senate and ask for a carbon price in the Atonement Act. An easy way to do this is to go to citizenclimatelobby.org/house and follow the directions to text and call your representatives. You can follow a script or use your own words. Do it for our children.

Sabra hull

Thurston County