In my U.S. government class, I recently learned about the importance of finding compromise.
Often, the best ideas are those in which both sides can win something. While the public discourse typically contrasts environmental progress with economic gain, a recent development shows us this is not always the case.
Our senator, Chris Coons, D-Del., is striking the right balance between smart economics and good environmental policy. The recently unveiled Clean Competition Act is going to put real teeth behind U.S. efforts to solve climate change by giving cleaner American producers a leg up over competition from China and Russia.
In short, a polluter import fee is an excellent tool to pressure foreign countries to keep pace with our clean-energy progress. For foreign companies, it’s using a stick where carrots haven’t gone the distance.
Meanwhile, domestically, this proposal is going to reward Delaware businesses for their clean-energy progress, spur innovation of efficient technologies and create millions of good-paying jobs.
With the growing urgency to respond to the existential climate crisis, I’m glad our leaders are thinking big — and finding viable compromises. Their border carbon-adjustment proposal is the type of solution capable of solving the climate problem and creating a better economy at the same time.
Alex Genoese
Salesianum School student
Newark
