One month ago, some 300,000 people gathered in New York City to press for action to combat climate change. The media flash that accompanied this event has quieted, but out-of-the-limelight work continues to make sure that action occurs on this crucial issue.

Since many human activities generate carbon dioxide and thus contribute to climate change, it’s good to have many different approaches to reducing carbon dioxide pollution. But we also need concerted action on a national level. A key component of such action could be a revenue-neutral carbon tax (carbon fee and dividend) that would return all the money collected to all households equally.

Next month there will be briefings for congressional representatives on the economic benefits of a revenue-neutral carbon tax, as reported by the independent consulting group Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI). Let’s urge our congressional representatives to attend these briefings to examine how a revenue-neutral carbon tax could reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase employment.

Philippa Solomon

Winthrop

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