As an Ohioan, my response to Senator Rob Portman’s op-ed, Let’s use common sense solutions to promote conservation was hallelujah — with a caveat.
The Senator is to be commended for his long history of conservation work, and no one can dispute his dedication to energy efficiency. However, there is a glaring omission on his green resume: it’s time for him to get behind carbon pricing.
A price on carbon designed in accordance with the recommendation of leading economists will not only lower carbon emissions, a priority for Gen Z, but depending on how you structured it, a price on carbon would either reduce taxes or provide a dividend to Americans.
Adding a border adjustment to the price on carbon will ensure our international friends are also taking measures to lower their carbon emissions. A carbon tax or dividend approach is simple, would be an effective global solution, would not destroy Ohio’s manufacturing industry, and is supported by grassroots efforts on the political right and left.
Enduring federal bipartisan climate policy seems like a mirage right now in the current partisan environment.
But with my generation and millennials making up nearly 40 percent of the electorate, our combined support for federal climate action means that lawmakers need to find the political courage to go big. Or plan on going home.
Tyler Gillette
Columbus, Ohio
