Letters: Our federal lawmakers can help the climate change fight by ... - Chicago Tribune

Letters: Our federal lawmakers can help the climate change fight by passing a carbon tax

Susan Atkinson, in her Sept. 29 op-ed ( “Climate change denial may be party deal-breaker for young conservatives”), warns that young conservatives will desert the Republican Party if it doesn’t address climate change. She mentions carbon fees as a method for dealing with climate change that is in line with conservative Republican values.

Carbon fees are a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They work by charging businesses and individuals for their carbon emissions, which incentivizes them to reduce their emissions in order to save money.

Carbon fees are a fair way to add the environmental cost of fossil fuels to the price that users pay. This means that the people and businesses that emit carbon will pay for the costs of climate change that their emissions impose on society.

For example, when carbon fees are paid by a driver buying gas, this uses the same rationale as federal gasoline taxes. Gas taxes are used for building and maintaining the roadways that drivers of fossil-fueled vehicles use without otherwise paying for them. Carbon fees can be used for adapting to and decreasing the harm to the environment caused by those same vehicles.

Carbon pricing is a relatively efficient way to reduce emissions. It is straightforward and inexpensive to collect, and it allows businesses the flexibility and timing to choose the most cost-effective way to reduce their emissions. Unlike command-and-control regulations, carbon pricing is a flexible approach that can be adapted to different economic conditions and technological advancements.

Carbon pricing is currently used in more than 40 countries and by more than 20 other jurisdictions such as cities. So why not here?

The one serious weakness is that carbon pricing is political — carbon “taxes” could be used as a weapon to win votes. This is a big reason Democrats have not employed it.

Republicans, now is the time to show that you are serious about climate change. By supporting carbon fees, you could demonstrate your commitment to conservative values such as free markets, limited government and environmental stewardship. You could also appeal to young conservatives who are increasingly concerned about climate change.

Democrats, now is the time to reach out to Republicans and work together on a bipartisan climate solution. Although not sufficient alone, carbon fees are the most efficient and effective of the alternatives.

By working together, we can create a clean energy future for all Americans.

— Darold T. Barnum, Orland Park

Saving our chorus of frogs

During the summer, the nightly chorus of frogs, cicadas and crickets makes for a relaxing lullaby.

As someone who cares deeply about the well-being of wildlife I was saddened to hear that a study has found that frogs and other amphibians are becoming increasingly threatened by climate change. It is my love of nature that inspired me to volunteer with the nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy group Citizens’ Climate Lobby. I am concerned about the way human activity is affecting the delicate climate that supports us and so many other important ecosystems.

I find the constant studies about the impact of climate on animals and nature due to climate change overwhelming, but that overwhelm is best met with action.

For that reason, I have joined a group of dedicated Chicago-area citizens in urging members of Congress to do their utmost to reduce the heat-trapping climate pollution threatening the well-being of all living animals

The newly introduced Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would ensure that corporate polluters pay while returning the revenue to American households. I urge my U.S. representative, Jan Schakowsky, to support it.

The nightly frog song is something special. Let’s do our best to preserve it.

— Devin Alwine, Crystal Lake

All hands on deck in fight

While I agree with letter writer Rick Knight’s advocacy for pro-market solutions for climate change, i.e., a carbon tax, that is only one piece of a large puzzle ( “Climate change affects us all,” Oct. 8). To assert that taxpayers should not be on the hook for “risky” climate projects ignores the fact that we pay many billions of dollars every year for increasingly significant disasters.

The truth is we need an all-hands-on-deck approach. That includes government policies and regulations to protect taxpayers, as well as businesses and each one of us doing our share.

Before we foul our nest irreparably, we need to use every tool in the toolbox to fix it.

— Therese Kane, Oak Park

Hospitality in Chicago

I used to wait tables, and I bartended. As a bartender, you rely on only yourself to satisfy the customer. You don’t have to answer for anyone else’s mistakes. I worked hard because tips paid my rent, etc., and because I had (have) a work ethic and I take pride in whatever I do.

I earned a subminimum wage, which is a lower minimum wage for employees who can also earn a gratuity. I still work hard, and I believe in rewarding hard work. If I get good service, I will tip well. If not, I don’t.

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It seems that work ethic is disappearing. I am going to predict that good service by employees who work for tips is going to fade away too. While I know that the minimum wage is supposed to be commensurate with the economy, it isn’t much money. But I do feel that if you take a job in which your income depends largely on tips because you make a lower hourly wage, you will work harder.

Mayor Brandon Johnson thinks the passage of an ordinance bringing the subminimum wage closer to minimum wage will eventually level the playing field. I disagree. I believe this measure will foster laziness and make it more difficult for independent restaurants and bars to thrive. Increased wages will cause the price of goods to rise and create an environment in which people will tip less and less for service in the hospitality industry. This is allegedly a progressive movement, according to Chicago’s mayor. I would argue that it is regressive. Higher wages paid to an employee will decrease the need to toil for tips. This will result in sluggish service and a dissatisfied customer.

This “progressive movement” will change the face of hospitality as we know it.

— Brigid Cronin, Chicago

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