Support EICDA
As if COVID-19 and its economic disruptions were not enough, “Nature is sending us a message” (Tribune-Herald, Dec. 28).
This article catalogs “the stormy, fiery year when climate disasters wouldn’t stop.” A sad fact is that climate disasters have their greatest impact on vulnerable and low-income populations.
Fortunately, Hawaii is one of three states, along with Alaska and North Dakota, that escaped a billion-dollar weather disaster in 2020. This could result in complacency, but good luck for a single year is no guarantee of future good fortune. Our turn will surely come.
The parallels between the global response to the pandemic and to the climate crisis show that there is no vaccine for denial, and that individual actions, while important, are woefully insufficient when we are faced with a global crisis.
There is good news. President-elect Joe Biden pledged to rejoin the Paris climate agreement. Hawaii has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emission to net zero by 2045.
The City and County of Honolulu just released its first Climate Action Plan with strategies to reduce Oahu’s greenhouse gas emission 44% by 2025. And the Hawaii County Council declared a climate emergency.
Nationally, carbon pollution pricing is supported overwhelmingly by leading economists, and is seen as the single most effective way to reduce carbon emissions. However, low-income households must be protected from regressive carbon taxation.
To be popular and long-lasting, carbon pricing must be bipartisan and combined with broad financial support for the most vulnerable. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act does this by combining a national carbon fee with monthly carbon-cash-back checks for all U.S. residents.
The fee-and-dividend concept helps vulnerable low- and middle-income families as we transition to a sustainable low-carbon future.
To support the EICDA, please visit Citizens’ Climate Lobby at cclusa/org.
Ron Reilly
Hawaii Island Chapter, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
‘Fake news’
I will be canceling the Tribune-Herald and using the money to help others.
It sickening to read fake news and the hateful cartoons and some of the letters to the editor.
Thank you to the letter writers who share truth and love for one another. “Love TRiUMPS.”
Patricia Enoka
Papaikou