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Climate Change is Inevitable, Good Policy is Critical By Carlos Curbelo AccordingtothisformerGOPCongressman fromFlorida,climatechangeisnotpoliticalbut inevitable,andvotersincreasinglyexpecttheir electedleaderstorespondinkind
Climate Change is Inevitable, Good Policy is Critical
by CARLOS CURBELO
In this era, in which we consume information from Twitter change has become a litmus test for whether they are honest and constant breaking-news alerts, it is challenging for leaders about the challenges we face, or just honest in general. to follow and respond thoughtfully to strategic challenges. In my case, it means we have to recognize that previous
The population of the United States and the world is economic growth is correlated to increased greenhouse gas growing and changing. China is emerging as a global power, emissions and that we will need to break this relationship by while the European Union shows signs of weakening. Here, first understanding the costs of emitting greenhouse gasses forecasts show a fast-growing gap between expected federal into the atmosphere. Those costs can be measured in many revenue and obligations in coming decades. ways, and we will start seeing them in coastal property values,
And the world is warming. mortgage and flood insurance rates, The average global temperature has infrastructure costs, and disaster already risen 2 degrees Fahrenheit assistance costs. since 1900 and is on track to Because I am motivated by rise between 5.2 and 6 degrees standards of living, I care deeply Fahrenheit by 2100. I, along with about economic growth. It is one of all Floridians, know that as the the reasons I became a proponent of oceans warm, they expand. In fact, a carbon tax, because economists sea levels are expected to rise 43 agree it is the most efficient way to inches by 2100. And that is without reduce greenhouse gas emissions. accounting for melting glaciers and And the revenue can be used to polar icecaps. replace other taxes or fund new
At its core, climate change is American infrastructure. not political. The best adjective to But that may not be the describe it is inevitable. Blame for preferred solution for everyone. And the issue is diverse, most often on deciding what policies to support fossil fuels and extractive industries. is a challenge. Meaningful climate However, I think of it more as the consequence of our common desire We have to recognize that policies have consequences, so they will be controversial. Republicans for better lives and higher standards previous economic growth have now discussed and introduced a of living which has led us to develop is correlated to increased number of policy proposals, and we resources that have unintended impacts on the environment. greenhouse gas emissions need to be comfortable considering them all and eventually embracing
Regardless, it cannot be and that we will need to some of them. ignored, and I am grateful that our break this relationship It is time for a sober assessment party has moved past its two-decadelong “experiment” with climate byfirstunderstanding of the consequences of climate change. We need an equally sober denialism. House Republican the costs of emitting assessment of what we can and Leader Kevin McCarthy, along with greenhouse gasses into should do to mitigate it because Reps. Greg Walden, Fred Upton, and Garret Graves, among others, the atmosphere. it certainly seems like our best bet now is simply to limit those deserve praise for their leadership consequences. Some damage may on the issue — particularly because taking the necessary, be unavoidable. “How much” is definitely up to us. RF early steps to return our party’s orthodoxy to one focused on stewardship of the environment took political courage. Carlos Curbelo was a member of the U.S. House of
But that courage will be rewarded. The majority of voters Representatives representing Florida from 2015-2019, where — especially, as Leader McCarthy likes to remind us, younger he co-founded and co-chaired the House Climate Solutions voters — want their elected leaders to lead on this issue. For Caucus, and is currently an advisor to the Alliance for Market many voters, whether elected officials acknowledge climate Solutions.
Conservative, Pro-Growth Solutions to Reduce Carbon Pollution
The Alliance for Market Solutions (AMS) is an organization of conservative leaders addressing two of America’s most pressing challenges: the need to reduce airborne carbon pollution and grow the economy.
• We support replacing regulations and subsidies with a revenue-neutral carbon tax, a pro-growth solution that promotes clean energy and protects the environment.
• We focus on building and projecting conservative voices in the climate change solutions debate.
• We cultivate the understanding of and support for a revenue-neutral carbon tax through direct conversations with policymakers and research.
