Letter to the Editor: Climate change and Mother's Day

"With the advent of Mother's Day, I'm reminded of and grateful for the many experiences and lessons learned from my own mother.  As a lifelong Girl Scout and leader, she imparted the number one rule for girls on a field trip or a night at camp, that being, "always leave a place better than you found it"

As a mother (and, hopefully, someday a grandmother), I am reminded of my duty to carry on this responsibility and help leave the world better than I found it.  It's been a challenge to understand what I, as one person, can contribute to that end beyond recycling, composting and turning down the thermostat.  I'm  fearful of the rapidly compounding effects of climate change, and the conditions in which future generations will find themselves.

For this reason, I have recently joined the newly formed Northeast Iowa chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, (CCL), an international, bipartisan organization.  CCL is focused on legislation, specifically, House Resolution 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, as the best approach "towards the adoption of fair, effective, and sustainable climate change solutions".  (https://citizensclimatelobby.org/)

Not a tax, but a fee on source inputs of carbon into the economy, this fee will drive down carbon pollution by encouraging industry, energy suppliers and consumers to find cleaner and cheaper energy options.  The fee comes back to each American in the form of a carbon dividend, with the government retaining none of it.  Check out CCL and this fact sheet: https://energyinnovationact.org/how-it-works/.   Then, contact our Iowa Representatives who have not yet signed on to the bill.  CCL is also working with Senators to introduce similar legislation and we can encourage Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst to be part of it.

I miss my mother , but I remember her lesson–do what's right, do what's good, and leave the world a little better than you found it."