Gordon Forgey

Our climate is changing. It is warming. Most scientists agree.

In fact, the United Nations just issued a dire report on the anticipated consequences of climate change. In short, it states the world is at serious risk.

Initially, the impact is environmental. Water and food shortages are predicted along with extreme weather events, coastal flooding, and loss of species, both on land and in the oceans. All these would ultimately cause social, political and economic upheaval.

The report should be taken as a serious warning.

So far, disjointed regulations and uncoordinated individual actions have been directed at the problem. No national or international consensus on a course of action exists.

One group, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, proposes an all-encompassing answer to combat climate change.

The group proposes to cut carbon emissions by putting a tax on them.

The fee would be based on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by production processes. Then, that money would be transferred to every citizen on an equal basis, which, in theory, if not hope, would spur more environmentally friendly activities and purchases. Ultimately, this would alter the world’s economies and dramatically reduce continuing damage to the environment.

It is a dramatic idea. The world relies upon fossil fuels, but CCL’s initiative has gained some credence. If nothing else it will cause discussion and debate, and it might spur others to take up the issue of climate change.

We have heard the well-substantiated predictions. They are not good, and we need to do something.

Just waiting around for things to get better as the dinosaurs did is not the answer.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher