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