Letter: Support carbon dividends

Would you expect “Business in a changing climate” to be the “hot topic” at an Alaska business conference? It was at Juneau’s Innovation Summit.

It was amazing and gratifying to see and hear from so many Alaska businesses talking openly and candidly about climate change, its many (mostly) negative effects on their businesses, and their efforts to adapt to climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. I did not hear a single person or business shy away from or deny climate change, its potential to affect people and business, or its tie to burning of fossil fuels. Indeed, I wished our senators and congressman were there to see how concerned Alaska’s business people are about climate change!

Few of the 60 business people I spoke to knew there was an economics based solution in Congress now that could build our economy, spark innovation, improve health and save lives and reduce CO2 emissions by 40% in the first 12 years. But they, and you, know now! It is the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763. It’s like an America-wide Permanent Fund dividend.

Sometimes we think climate change is a partisan issue. This conference reminded me it is not a partisan or even a bipartisan issue, it’s an “all hands on deck” issue. Our congressional delegation needs to get behind the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act to protect Alaska’s businesses and economy.

— Michelle Putz

Sitka

Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.