Young Americans are right to be concerned about climate change (“Distressed about climate change, ‘supermajority’ of young Americans want bolder action,” Oct. 18, TribLive). The possibilities for the future include some very scary outcomes.
What is perhaps even more scary and distressing is the lack of political will among many of our leaders to take constructive steps to address the problems, even when there is wide agreement that these measures can address climate concerns while reaping economic benefits. Economists and analysts agree that a price on carbon, together with a border adjustment that will account for the climate cost of imported goods, is a promising approach toward reducing polluting emissions. Those fees could be refunded to ratepayers, providing direct incentives to cut emissions and helping economically disadvantaged folks who might not otherwise be able to go green.
Our elected leaders should take bold action in enacting these policies and improving our prospects for the future.
Harry Hochheiser
Squirrel Hill