Letter to the editor: Biden's climate order is not enough

Regarding the Associated Press story “Biden order would make U.S. government carbon neutral by 2050”: After the less-than-adequate pledges coming out of COP26 in Glasgow in November, the executive order seems like good news.

Here’s the problem. Presidential executive orders can be easily reversed by the next administration; and with inflation, Ukraine and drastic upticks in covid infections consuming the headlines these days, a new administration seems likely in 2024. And so it’s probable that the executive order will quickly disappear.

In early November, Bloomberg Green reported that “the White House and at least 49 senators support a proposal to impose an almost $20 per-ton fee on carbon.” And that mechanism must be included in the Build Back Better legislation now being debated in the Senate. Implemented legislation is not so easily undone.

Forty-nine votes is one shy of what is needed to pass a “carbon fee.” I’m sure you can guess who holds the 50th vote.

Regulations and trees and carbon capture and wishful thinking are not enough to solve the climate emergency. And while Joe Manchin might not be your senator, I urge you to contact his office (202-224-3954) to let him know that you support “putting a price on carbon” as the most important step we can take to keep the planet livable for our children and grandchildren.

Bruce Cooper

Cranberry Township