Bipartisan climate action is good for the economy

I was pleased to see Joni Ernst expressing her concerns about our climate in her Jan. 20 Facebook post, particularly her call to focus 'on reducing our emissions and meeting our energy needs through market-driven, innovative solutions.” This should be an easy bipartisan win for any Iowa politician with an eye toward a long-term political career. According to a study by the conservative American Conservation Coalition, a majority of millennial Republicans believe in human-caused climate change, and more than two-thirds believe the GOP needs to be doing more when it comes to addressing this issue. Democrats are not less concerned. The divide between young Republicans and Democrats is not about the fact of climate change; it is about how to address climate change.Both Republican and Democratic voters who are concerned about climate change, but also about government stifling the economy, will be interested in a Carbon Fee and Dividend. This is a gradually increasing fee on fossil fuels that does not go to the government; instead, all proceeds from the fee are redistributed to the American taxpayer. The fee strengthens natural market forces to push energy companies, industries, and consumers toward less polluting, more environmentally friendly energy technologies. Scientists support it, and economists say this will add 2.8 million jobs over 20 years. Since more than 80 percent of millennial Republicans support growing the clean energy industry (ACC), this is an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together for our pocketbook and our planet! Visit energyinnovationact.org for more information.

Jared Kline

Cedar Rapids