Bipartisan hope emerging on climate change

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By: Vernon Dixon, MD

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Despite tensions in many areas between the two parties, there’s still hope that progress can be made on the pressing problems of the day. It appears republicans and democrats are coming together on one issue that seemed intractable not long ago: climate change.

In the Senate, Republican Senator Mike Braun of Indiana is teaming up with Maryland Democrat Chris Coons to form a bipartisan climate solutions group. The Senate group complements the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in the House that was established in 2016. It became a judgment-free zone where members of both parties could come together for serious discussions about solving climate change. Due to the collaborative atmosphere the caucus created, there are a large number of bipartisan climate bills in the House.

A bipartisan approach to solving climate change is essential, because passing legislation requires buy-in from both sides of the aisle. Regardless of which party controls the Senate and White House, political winds shift and policies with broad support will withstand those shifts.

Republicans and democrats are seeking common ground on climate change because public opinion has reached a tipping point that cannot be ignored. A CBS News poll last month found two-thirds of Americans view climate change as a crisis or serious problem and a majority want immediate action.

Overwhelming majorities of younger GOP voters regard climate change as a serious threat, too: 77 percent of them said so in a survey by Ipsos and Newsy this fall.

Now that we have republicans and democrats talking to each other about climate solutions, what major climate legislation will they support together? A price on carbon offers promising common ground. Thousands of United States economists support carbon pricing as an effective tool to reduce emissions quickly. Newsweek recently surveyed 300 multinational corporations and found that 95 percent favor mandatory carbon pricing. According to Luntz Global, carbon pricing that includes a revenue return to Americans, has four to one support among all voters.

This year, four carbon pricing bills have been introduced with bipartisan sponsorship.

Of the four, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763) has attracted the most support, with 66 House members now signed on, including Republican Francis Rooney of Florida. This legislation would initiate a fee of $15 per metric ton of carbon, rising by $10 per ton each year. All revenue would be paid out equally to every household. In 10 years, a family of four would receive an annual “carbon dividend” of about $3,500. Resources for the Future estimates this policy would reduce carbon emissions 47 percent by 2030. The bill targets 90 percent reductions by 2050. We are America and this is a problem that we can — and must — conquer.