Celebrate progress on climate issues

Global climate hero Greta Thunberg recently drew a wildly enthusiastic crowd of thousands in downtown Iowa City. An entire seven hours on CNN were devoted to a Democratic Presidential Candidate Forum on Climate where our existential climate crisis was finally placed at the top of the national agenda. Multiple plans are now being offered by presidential candidates. Climate Strikers here and all over the world are taking to the streets demanding immediate action to address this emergency. Their numbers are mushrooming and they are getting positive results.

In Iowa City, our own dedicated young Strikers, with the support of 100 Grannies, parents, and many other citizens, have influenced the Iowa City Community School Board and the Iowa City Council and the University of Iowa to revisit and upgrade their climate action plans and strategies. This is a huge success!

Even as we witness daily some of the most horrific consequences of a changing climate, there are many strong indications of progress. Many cities and corporations and communities are making huge commitments and efforts to reduce carbon output. Citizen awareness and personal choices are gradually shifting, technological innovations are popping up everywhere and renewable energy is exploding.

However, the question remains: will it be enough and will it be soon enough?

Even with all these positive indicators, virtually no progress is being made

at the federal level. Indeed, the current administration is doing its best to prevent and reverse measures that are critically necessary. When we most need to be working together with the nations of the world, our president is taking us out of the Paris agreement. Things are looking grim.

According to nearly 200 top climate scientists from around the world, reporting in the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, we have less than a decade remaining to turn this existential crisis around and make significant headway in reducing the carbon in our atmosphere. We have been put on notice that beyond that, we will have passed several tipping points after which it will be impossible to stop this catastrophic trajectory. Life on our planet is imperiled. We must act – and quickly.

One bright spot of hope at the national level is HR 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019, which has been gaining bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Opponents of the bill (many of whom are climate deniers and recipients of huge fossil fuel contributions) are putting out negative information by calling it a “carbon tax.” Don’t be fooled. This bill puts an annually increasing price on carbon where it comes out of the ground or across our borders, and returns all of the proceeds back to the American people in monthly dividends. So as the price of carbon-based resources goes up for consumers, the extra expense is offset. Turns out that the less you use (gas, coal-sourced energy, etc.) the more you can come out ahead. Economists

love it! Here’s why:

❚ Effective: reduces emissions 40% within 12 years

❚ Good for People: Improves health and puts money in people’s pockets

❚ Good for Economy: Creates 2.1 million new jobs in clean energy

❚ Bipartisan: Cosponsors on both sides of aisle

❚ Revenue Neutral: Fees go to all Americans to use as they wish – none to government, so it won’t “grow” the government.

Contacting our legislators is one easy thing we can do today that will make a difference. HR 763 is being called “America’s Climate Solution.” Sure there are many other things we can and must do to turn the tide and reduce carbon in our atmosphere, and we need to get hopping. This one just happens to be the fastest, cheapest, most bipartisan and immediately doable.

Miriam Kashia lives in North Liberty and is a member of Iowa City Climate Advocates & 100 Grannies for a Livable Future.

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Miriam Kashia Guest columnist