Kate Lewis is a student at Ventura College and a resident of Nevada who participated in our Spring 2021 Climate Advocacy Methods Program.
As a Nevada citizen concerned about the devastating effects of climate change on our state and the world, I am both hopeful and frustrated with the current conversation around climate policy (“What will a Biden administration mean for public lands in Nevada? It’s about climate change.” Daniel Rothberg, Jan 28). The nation is eagerly watching the Biden administration tackle the climate issues that the previous administration had relegated to the sidelines. Nevadans are especially looking for answers surrounding the issues of renewable development on public land and adjacent industries like mining. Even as Biden strives towards a “unified national response”, there is a fundamental flaw in a climate policy that only addresses the crisis by legislating countless distinct policies on an industry-by-industry basis. The adverse effects of climate change cannot be solved or even curbed by regulations, or the resulting debates, negotiations, and conflicts.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would create a single solution: a national carbon fee that goes directly back into the pockets of the American people. It incentivizes the development of sustainable business practices across all industries, driving down carbon emissions naturally without costly and ineffective legislation, for the good of the nation, the state, and the environment. Nevada will not have to tackle mining tax issues and regulations, conservation and development tradeoffs, and environmental justice issues individually. A national carbon tax would grow sustainable business in Nevada, including renewable development, and the dividend from that national carbon tax would go directly to Nevada households, strengthening Nevada’s economy. We are running out of time to correct course on climate change and we need fast, decisive action in the form of a comprehensive carbon tax through the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
(The Nevada Independent)