House climate deniers sabotage Paris talks
January 8, 2016
As much of the United States, in fact much of the world, is
engulfed in bizarre weather and we have just experienced the hottest
year on record (bringing us worse drought and horrible forest fires) we
have an opportunity to reflect on what our elected officials are doing.
Given
the opportunity to become leaders at the Paris Climate Talks in
December, many senators and members of the House of Representatives
chose instead to try to sabotage the talks and to deny reality. On those
rare occasions that a reason for such behavior is given, it is said
that the regulations and “big government” necessary to tackle the
problem are undesirable.
Personally, I find perpetual
drought, massive crop failure and sharp increases in heat-stroke deaths
even less desirable than regulations, but that’s just me and my wacky
priorities. Luckily, there is another route – putting a price on carbon
pollution would reduce greenhouse gas emissions without adding to
regulatory red tape, and would spur innovation in energy.
Making
such a fee revenue neutral may even benefit our economy. Climate
reality is hitting us now. Denial is increasingly irresponsible and
foolish. We can act for a better future.
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