When I was a kid, there was an ad for Campbell’s Chunky Soups, where they asked, “Is it soup or is it a meal?”
I found that question perplexing, wondering why couldn’t it be both. Likewise, the conundrum about climate change: Is it good for the environment or is it good for the economy?
It’s really a false choice, because indeed there is a way for it to be both; to reconcile progressive Democrats with moderates, and even Democrats with Republicans.
I’m referring to the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR763), which would place a fee on the production of fossil fuels and have all the revenue returned to us, the consumers. As legislation with bipartisan congressional co-sponsorship and supported by Citizens Climate Lobby, HR763 would reduce emissions by at least 40 percent in the first 12 years, improve health and save lives by reducing pollution Americans breathe, create over two million new jobs, and because it is a free market non-regulatory solution, would not grow government.
A majority of both Republicans and Democrats support Congress taking action on climate change. What better way to have your soup and eat it?
Gerald Elias, Salt Lake City