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(NewsUSA) - The new president and Congress face a set of
challenges that rival any of the modern era: a troubled economy, insecure energy supplies and the
threat of climate change. These issues are closely intertwined, and none is easily solved on its
own. But with the right approach, America can be on a path toward economic growth and a cleaner,
more secure future.
Many experts say that the best way to solve the energy crisis is
through a carbon cap, or a limit on greenhouse gas pollution. A cap solved America's acid rain
problem in the 1990s, and it can be used today to cure our dependence on foreign oil.
A
cap obligates companies to pay for the carbon they emit -; the less they emit, the less they pay -;
so it is in their best economic interests to invest in alternative fuels and technologies. These
profitable investments will spur entrepreneurs to focus on finding alternative sources of energy
that will help grow a booming, green economy.
Now, instead of sending nearly 3 percent of
our gross domestic product overseas to oil-rich and often hostile nations, it can be invested in
new manufacturing jobs that will stay here at home and strengthen America's economy.
A
carbon cap will produce millions of jobs in sectors across the economy, from steel manufacturing to
clean energy product development. For example, wind energy turbines have more than 8,000 parts: A
small wind project uses at least 4,466 tons of steel, 609 tons of composite fiberglass, 610 tons of
steel rebar and 12,470 tons of concrete.
With the new jobs created by carbon cap
legislation, America would have a clear edge over European and Chinese competitors, similar to our
lead in the space race and the Internet revolution.
While a carbon cap may boost our
economy, failing to enact climate-change legislation would threaten America's future growth.
Climate change results in droughts, more powerful storms and rising sea levels -; all of which can
cause significant economic harm. Among the hardest hit businesses will be insurance, banking, real
estate, farming and tourism, all affecting the American heartland.
As the new Congress
settles in after the New Year, ask your Senators and Representatives to support climate-change
legislation.
For more information, contact the Environmental Defense Action Fund at www.edf.org. |
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