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USA States, cities, counties, universities, corporations, businesses, manufacturers, and social and religious organizations have climate action plans to lower emissions

Why America is still on the right path for climate change, By Kalpana Sutaria – American Statesman, 9 Jul 17  “…… States, cities, counties, universities, corporations, businesses, manufacturers, and social and religious organizations have climate action plans to lower emissions. I worked on the city of Austin’s Climate Action Plan and experienced positive environmental impacts. Many leaders around the country have affirmed their conviction to continue with the goals of Paris accord, which included national pledges to reduce emissions.

It may seem difficult to see how we get there when the leaders at the top do not accept that human activities are major contributor to climate change. In the absence of the federal government’s support, cities, states, corporations and manufacturing companies are determined to work towards meeting those temperature targets. Seven states have bills filed on carbon pricing.

Texas has been a leader in producing renewable energy and has its institutions and workforce moving forward with innovative, low-carbon technologies. Texans want that. Some other recent developments in the U.S. are encouraging:

• The Climate Solutions Caucus in the U.S. House is a bipartisan group that will address the impacts, causes and challenges of our changing climate. “The caucus will serve as an organization to educate members on economically viable options to reduce climate risk and protect our nation’s economy, security, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply and public safety,” according to an announcement from the Committee on House Administration. It has 42 members: 21 Republicans and 21 Democrats. They must join in pairs.

•. Climate Leadership Council was formed this year by conservative Republican leaders and others who make a case for carbon dividends and how a new climate strategy can strengthen our economy, reduce regulation, help working-class Americans, shrink government and promote national security.

• More than six in 10 Trump voters support taxing or regulating the pollution that causes global warming, according to national survey of Trump voters done shortly after the election by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. They support variety of clean energy policies.

The Citizens’ Climate Lobby has a proposal of a carbon fee and dividend that is studied and supported by prominent economists. It is a market-based solution that will reflect true cost of carbon to the society, steer the economy away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources, and create millions of jobs while protecting the environment. Market will be a key element in spurring innovations. With the dividend, most low-income and middle-income families would come out ahead.

Every year, thousands of Citizens’ Climate Lobby members gather in Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives in the House and Senate to ask for their support of a carbon fee and dividend. Anyone concerned about global warming should ask their lawmakers to join the Climate Solutions Caucus.

Sutaria is an architect and project manager for the city of Austin.

July 10, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, USA