‘Carbon pricing’
Support for carbon pricing is growing. It’s now backed by the Electric Power Supply Association, American Petroleum Institute, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. They follow Federal Reserve chairs, Nobel laureate economists and prominent organizations and individuals throughout the nation.
The top 10 economies, except India and U.S., now price carbon. Importantly, the European Union has discussed installing a border tax on goods from countries without a carbon price.
In Hawaii, there were four carbon-pricing bills this legislative session (versus one last year), and while they failed to proceed this year, support is increasing.
Notably, a recent University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization study found a carbon fee and dividend policy to be progressive and beneficial to the lower 60% of households.
Carbon pricing will dramatically reduce emissions, save lives and enable a sustainable economy. It’s an essential tool in our climate action quiver. When coupled with a dividend, it allows households to accommodate the expected rise in fossil fuel costs.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby supports carbon pricing and dividend legislation such as the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This policy can be implemented quickly and represents a cost-efficient, effective and fair solution.
Every household will get a check to cover increased costs; they can also increase their energy efficiency and save extra money. Under this policy, lower-income families will benefit the most since they use less energy.
We expect this bill to be reintroduced soon by Ted Deutch of Florida and urge Hawaii Reps. Kai Kahele and Ed Case to co-sponsor it. There were 86 co-sponsors in the last Congress, and we hope for even more support in the current one.
To learn more and to urge our members of Congress to act, visit cclusa.org.
Noel Morin
Hilo
Appropriate spot
Though the fisherman sculpture (Tribune-Herald, March 17) might initially seem somewhat polarizing, the story behind the sculpture makes sense to me. I think it is situated appropriately, when considering what I believe is the sculptor’s idea behind the artwork and the fishermen that frequent the area.
If anyone remembers “Maning,” he was one of the best throw-net fishermen in Hilo. He was a regular at the park and would throw his net from the shore close to where the sculpture currently stands.
The sculpture isn’t really on the main grounds of Lili‘uokalani Gardens. It’s situated near the ocean, facing inland, as if sharing the catch with the community.
Perhaps an informational plaque might go a long way in helping to make the sculpture accepted and enjoyed.
Michael J. Brown
Retired supervisor,
Lili‘uokalani Gardens