Letter to the editor: Now is time to put price on carbon

It’s good to hear that the National Flood Insurance Program is updating its risk-rating methodology, though this article also clearly emphasizes that many Delawareans are exposed to increasing climate change-related economic loss, proportionally more so than those in any other state (“Delawareans to benefit from new flood insurance risk rating,” Oct. 3).

A warming climate contributed to supercharged conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, powering Hurricane Ida inland on its path of destruction, which we unfortunately experienced here in Delaware. To mitigate against the worst impacts of climate change, we need the most impactful policy available to us — a price on carbon.

The time to act is now: The Senate Finance Committee is considering a price on carbon as reported by Bloomberg, The Hill and NBC. They are discussing “a potential tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels starting at $15 per ton,” reported Bloomberg. They add that it “would be paired with rebates for low-income taxpayers and a border-adjustment tax aimed at ensuring foreign companies don’t get an advantage.”

The recent back-to-back climate disasters illustrate that we cannot wait any longer to unleash bold action to slow climate change, and it needs to be a bipartisan effort. Sixty-two percent of registered voters favor a carbon fee and dividend approach. Majorities in very red (54%) to very blue (77%) districts were in favor, based on an analysis of the respondents’ congressional districts (School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, March 2021).

A robust price on carbon would ensure that America meets the targets to prevent the worst impacts of global warming, which will have a disproportionate effect on Delawareans. We need to work together to keep the flood regions from expanding farther into our state by taking action. I urge all your readers to write their members of Congress and ask them to support a price on carbon.

Laura Lange

Wilmington