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A carbon tax can help win the battle against climate change | Letters
Here’s what readers are saying in Thursday’s letters to the editor.
 
Smoke rises from the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, a coal burning power plant in Colstrip, Mont.
Smoke rises from the Colstrip Steam Electric Station, a coal burning power plant in Colstrip, Mont.
Published April 1, 2021|Updated April 1, 2021

Time to tax carbon

Have we lost the battle on climate? | March 30

John Crisp’s column is too pessimistic. Although individual actions like his cannot change the trend, the battle to stop climate change is far from lost. What’s needed is the correct economic framework to motivate change on a societal level. This can be done if fossil fuels bear the cost of their damage to the climate. A policy which adds the price of carbon to fossil fuels provides a pocketbook incentive to businesses and people to use smaller amounts of carbon fuels. This will encourage innovation. Funds collected by placing a price on carbon would then be rebated to all citizens equally. This would protect low and moderate income Americans from rising fuel costs during the period of transition to clean energy.

Such an approach can lower carbon dioxide emissions 40% and would cover 80% of all carbon emitters without the imposition of burdensome regulations. Thousands of lives could be saved. Innovation will create new manufacturing jobs and promote economic growth — if we act. This simple, effective approach is contained in the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. What is needed is the political will in Washington to enact it. Our children’s lives and futures depend on it.

Don LaGrone, St. Petersburg

Hayes is funny

As Florida vaccines roll out, it’s okay to feel happy | March 31

I wanted to thank columnist Stephanie Hayes for the humor she has provided when it was so needed to keep our communal sanity during this terrible year. I feel compelled to thank her publicly for her contribution with her unique sense of humor. Her Wednesday column was a prime example. In mentioning our mostly agreement in getting vaccinated, she says: “The last time this country came together was ... well, a few weeks ago when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talked to Oprah.”

So funny, so sad, and so very true.

Irene Prosser, Tarpon Springs

Crime victims’ rights

Victims need time to heal before going back to work

I became a victim of crime when my son, Isaiah Brooks, was murdered in 2005. In the weeks that followed, I fought a daily battle to get out of bed. I was also having a difficult time processing my child’s demise and managing my once normal daily routine. In the week that followed, I did not have the strength or mindset to make funeral and burial arrangements. Dealing with this horrific situation and the trauma that followed took every ounce of strength. Working was impossible.

This year, Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami, and Rep. Felicia Robinson, D-Miami, have filed bills to give unpaid leave to victims of all types of violent crime who need to leave work to take care of their immediate well-being or personal safety. Too many survivors have lost jobs due to their inability to return to work a day or two after the crime. This only adds to their trauma and further destabilizes their lives. As a victim survivor, I stand with all victims of crime humbly seeking your support of SB 1838 and HB 1476.

Darla Saunders, Sun City Center