The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that unless we cut carbon emissions soon, we risk taking the planet past an irreversible tipping point with disastrous consequences for food security, for species extinction, for hundreds of millions living near coasts, and for unleashing epidemic disease. The Pentagon recognizes climate change as a preeminent national security threat.
In their November 12 summit, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement committing U.S. to reduce emissions by 28% by 2025 compared to 2005 levels, while China would cap its level of emissions (still far lower per capita) by 2030 and greatly increase its share of renewable energy.
In a forum during recent Congressional campaign, Indiana’s 9th District Congressman Todd Young pledged to work against a carbon tax, which he claimed would put U.S. manufacturers at a disadvantage compared with Chinese producers. Obama’s Beijing accord undermines that excuse. Besides, climate advocates had explained to him that their carbon fee-and-dividend proposal includes a tariff penalizing imports from polluting countries. Congressman Young received a major campaign contribution from Solar Sources, Inc., actually a coal mining company.
A 2013 Stanford University poll found that 81% of Americans want the federal government to regulate business emissions of greenhouse gases. Only 21% think it is a good idea to generate electricity from coal.
Hoosiers must work for a sustainable Indiana that moves beyond coal and climate denial.
Sources:
https://ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5/images/uploads/WG2AR5_SPM_FINAL.pdf
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/opinion/climate-change-breakthrough-in-beijing.html?ref=opinion
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/world/asia/china-us-xi-obama-apec.html
