The story headlined “Carbon concentration in atmosphere hits grim milestone” was sobering (Herald, June 13). Scientists say we have passed a key turning point and will not, in our lifetimes, see a level below 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. The article is a reminder of long-term effects on our planet.
Any reduction in CO2 concentration “would require substantial and sustained cuts in anthropogenic (human-caused) emissions to near zero.”
While I believe this is possible (witness World War II super-production efforts, man on moon in 1969, etc.), the will is lacking. Think greed. Think ostriches. Fossil fuels need to stay in the ground.
An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, Copenhagen 2014, includes a graphic of two globes: one with substantial mitigation, one without. The title states “The Choices We Make Will Create Different Outcomes.” With mitigation, we may be able to keep the temperature rise from 1986-2005 averages to 2 to 3 degrees Celsius by 2081-2100; without mitigation the prediction is for increases approaching 9-11 degrees Celsius (10C = 50F).
It’s hot today, with record-setting triple digits in the Southwest. There are numerous wildfires burning as I write this, likely to only get worse. Can you imagine an increase in average North American temperatures of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit? Think refugees. Think mass extinctions.
Putting a price on carbon appears to be the best solution with fees charged going 100 percent (except small administrative costs) back to legal citizens as dividends.
As carbon increases in price the market will begin to favor renewables. Certainly gasoline prices will go up as environmental costs become part of the equation and we have a chance to vote on real costs. As renewables become relatively cheaper without subsidies, our increased energy funds due to returned dividends may even allow us to save money on our energy budgets.
Think conservation. If you know of better solutions, please share them.
For more information on “Fee and Dividend,” contact the Citizens Climate Lobby website, or locally email CCLDurango@gmail.com. Something has to be done. There is no Planet B.
Marilyn McCord
Vallecito
