As followers of Christ, we are called to care for creation and to be good stewards of our God-given resources. We are to seek justice for the poor and vulnerable among us and for future generations. Because climate change disproportionately affects the poor and most vulnerable, we believe it to be a moral issue to which our nation must respond.
Our burning of fossil fuels has contributed to the steady increase of carbon dioxide released into the earth’s atmosphere, trapping heat and speeding up global climate change. This is has harmful health, environmental and economic costs, and yet there is no financial penalty for adding to carbon pollution. As long as carbon pollution remains free, the true costs of fossil fuels will be hidden, and may appear cheaper than low-carbon alternatives even as they put long-term health and economic prosperity at risk.
A solution has been proposed known as carbon fee and dividend.
What is Carbon Fee and Dividend?
It is a national, revenue-neutral carbon fee-and-dividend system that would place a predictable, steadily-rising price on carbon and other greenhouse gases, with all fees collected (minus administrative costs) being returned to households as a monthly energy dividend. To learn more about the specifics of this plan, click here.
Studies show that in 20 years, a system like this could reduce carbon emissions to 50% of 1990 levels while adding 2.1 million jobs to our economy.
This plan is one concrete and effective way to faithfully care for creation.
Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to support carbon fee and dividend.
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Image credit: Flickr user Thomas Bresson