Dec 12, 2018 2 min read

Support Energy Innovation bill

This fall, both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Trump Administration’s National Climate Assessment confirmed that we need to act decisively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade. Already, in Pennsylvania we’re seeing crops destroyed by record-breaking rainfall and invasive pests, the spread of Zika and Lyme, landslides, flooding and school heat days.

As a mother of 5-year-old daughters, I have another reason to care about climate change. I want my daughters to feel safe. I can’t tell them that adults are doing nothing to protect their future.

Last week in Congress, a bipartisan coalition of Republicans and Democrats came together to offer the climate solution we need. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Florida), Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Florida), Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Florida), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania) and Rep. John Delaney (D-Maryland) have co-sponsored The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. By placing a fee on greenhouse gas pollution, this act would cut emissions by at least 40 percent within 12 years and 90 percent by 2050. Money from the fee would be returned equally to households, so it doesn’t grow the size of government. At the same time, the bill creates 2.1 million jobs through growth of the clean energy economy.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers across the country have helped make HR 7173 a reality. Get involved and help it pass. Let’s change our climate story to one we can tell our kids: Things were bad, but we are taking action to protect your future.

Hilary Schenker

Pittsburgh