Letter to the editor: Carbon taxes won't hurt consumers

Letter-writer Ralph Dunsworth (“Carbon emissions tax will hurt consumers”) is concerned about the cost of carbon taxes to consumers. No need to be. For example, House Resolution 2307 puts an “atmospheric dumping fee” on carbon emitters, but all fees are rebated to consumers. As such, 85% of Americans receive as much or more as the expected higher dirty energy costs are “passed through” by fossil-fuel corporations.

Studies by REMI, Ummel, MIT and Resources for the Future point to this approach as the most effective, efficient, least costly (polluters pay) approach (among others needed). It would hit carbon cut targets urged by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. I only pray we are not too late, as eventually tipping points will be irreversible.

No do-overs. Think about how you would like the world to be for your children and grandchildren.

Jan Freed

Los Angeles, Calif.

The writer is a volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby.