It’s great to see Pittsburgh and U.S. Steel committing to carbon neutrality by 2050 (“Pittsburgh, U.S. Steel commit to become carbon neutral by 2050,” April 23, TribLIVE). Bold actions on the part of our local governments and businesses can be a strong tool in fighting climate change, inspiring others to take similar action. However, to truly address the challenges ahead, we will need even stronger actions by a broader cross-section of our society.
As much as we might like to believe that these actions will come from enlightened self-interest, experience tells us that we need to create financial structures that will encourage people to do the right thing. One way to do this is to combine a tax on carbon with dividends returning revenues back to ratepayers, as proposed in the Energy Innovation and Climate Dividend Act. By coupling an increased cost of polluting with offsetting income, this bipartisan act will encourage reductions in climate warming gases and investments in alternative energy.
Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, and Sen. Bob Casey should work with their colleagues to ensure passage of this important legislation, which will make us all breath easier.
Harry Hochheiser
Squirrel Hill