Charge corporate polluters a fee for the carbon emissions they put into the air | Opinion
Charge polluters
“Earth is running a fever. And UN climate talks are focusing on the contagious effect on human health,” (sanluisobispo.com, Dec. 4)
The United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) and climate leaders are negotiating how to reduce greenhouse gasses. Fossil fuel emissions have warmed our planet and continue to damage our fragile ecosystem. The pressure at COP 28 is to “phase down” fossil fuels. A powerful tool for phasing down fossil fuels is to charge corporate polluters a fee for the carbon emissions they put into the air.
Congress currently has a bill — the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 5744) — that would do just that. This bill puts a fee on carbon polluters and uses that fee to give money back to U.S. households. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is going to take a global effort, but we can all do our part.
Let your congressional representative know that you support bills that reduce carbon emissions. Taking action to protect Mother Earth is the best gift we can give our children and all future generations.
Maggie Kraft
San Luis Obispo
Ceasefire now
“Tribune readers on Israeli-Hamas war coverage: We need to hear both sides | Opinion,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 12)
Please push for a ceasefire for the thousands of people who have died in this horrific disaster. This is the only way to maintain an identity of valuing morality, people and families of all backgrounds. Not doing so would do a great injustice to so many living, as well as the countless dead.
Do what is right and do not turn your face away from any parts of the truth.
Mia Lopez
San Luis Obispo
Condemn anti-Semitism
“White supremacy group distributes antisemitic flyers in SLO,” (sanluisobispo.com, Oct. 24)
I am a resident of Arroyo Grande, which was the most recent target of hateful white nationalists. Some time in the middle of the night in early December, vile anti-Semitic flyers were left on people’s cars in small baggies weighted down with rocks. I am absolutely outraged and disgusted that this is happening in our community and across our county. My heart goes out to our Jewish neighbors who are feeling threatened and terrified.
This is part of a wave of anti-Semitism that has been rising across our country and must be rejected and resisted at every level. I am calling on my fellow citizens to condemn anti-Semitism in general as well as this action in particular.
We must ensure that our community is a welcoming, inclusive place for all.
Virginia Roof
Arroyo Grande
Lead in conservation
“Will Morro Bay get new aquarium? Plans for facility stall
I was happy to read that the plans for a proposed aquarium in Morro Bay seem to have fallen through. Aquariums are not only sad places where animals in captivity suffer impoverished social conditions, they also offer a very outdated approach to conservation and entertainment.
A much more creative, potentially profitable and certainly humane idea would be a virtual exhibit, such as the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre in Australia, where people don’t just passively watch animals in a tank but are immersed in their environment. My wife and I visited this interactive attraction a few years ago, and were amazed at how much kids loved it — and learned from it. Considering it doesn’t require the continued care of hundreds of live animals, it’s undoubtedly more financially viable than what Morro Bay currently has in mind.
We can do so much better for animals and ourselves. Let’s make SLO County a leader in conservation and education by not exploiting our fellow creatures.
Mark Hawthorne
San Luis Obispo