While the Great Salt Lake shrinks, we watch with despair as our California neighbors continue to be pummeled by floods, wind and toppled trees with at least 17 deaths and more storms forecast. While our own despair is on the horizon, we wonder, how do these extreme weather events affect Utahns’ pocketbooks?
Weather disasters cost U.S. taxpayers $165 billion in 2022; when a federal disaster is declared we all share the cost. The trend towards more costly storms is undeniable as more Americans move to coasts and live in drought-affected and fire-prone regions. If members of Congress intend to reduce the deficit, they need to address our changing climate.
RepublicEN, the voice of the Eco Right, and the nonpartisan Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) agree that a carbon fee and dividend (CF&D) is a conservative and best approach to moderating our changing climate. CF&D is supported by 3,558 U.S. economists, four former Federal Reserve chairs, 27 Nobel laureate economists, 15 chairs of the Council of Economic Advisers, and two former Department of Treasury secretaries who stated, “A carbon tax offers the most cost-effective lever to reduce carbon emissions at the scale and speed that is necessary.”
It drives technology innovation, which will transform our economy and lead to millions of new jobs across the country. It will also make America a clean-energy leader and reduce our carbon pollution 50% by 2030.
Furthermore, Utah is uniquely positioned to help reduce our carbon emissions with our abundance of sun, wind and geothermal energy potential.
Ask Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney and your House representative to support climate solutions. Tell them we do not want to make the tough choice of how and where to live if our Great Salt Lake vanishes, and our water supply shrinks along with our pocketbooks.
Jean M. Lown, Logan
