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As I write this, my eyes are burning from the smoke of west coast fires, my daughters are planning evacuation routes in the Portland area and COVID-19 is taking a huge toll on our health and psyches. It is hard to imagine the pain of people losing their homes and all they have built up in their lives.

The world’s attention is now focused on the COVID-19 pandemic as if it stands alone while climate change has faded to the back burner. But, unfortunately, climate change is still an existential threat that is increasing disease vectors such as COVID-19, as well as increasing dangers of record heat, fires, storms and droughts that are already impacting the U.S. and are increasing every year. We are all vulnerable.

However, there is good news: there is a game-changing solution on the horizon that provides an opportunity to pass legislation that can get us on the right track by reducing carbon emissions and achieving targets called for by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. I share this information with you and seek your support for this legislation.

Congress’ H.R 763 is a bipartisan endeavor to make significant progress in mitigating climate change (52% reduction in emissions from 1990 levels in 20 years). The Citizens Climate Lobby is promoting this bill. It is backed by 3,000 economists, social scientists and climate scientists. H.R 763 needs grassroots endorsements from local leaders to convince US Reps and Senators to co-sponsor.

In a nutshell H.R 763 would:

1) Put a $15/metric ton fee on carbon emissions at its source, at fossil fuel companies, coal mines, oil wells and ports of entry, leveling the playing field of the cost of energy.

2) The entire equal monthly per person dividend fees collected go directly back to individual households as direct bank deposits (100%, minus administration costs). This will inject billions of dollars into the economy, create 2.8 million jobs, protect family budgets, give each family independent choices about how to spend their energy budget, innovate for clean energy and build demand for low carbon products.

Research (August 2020) found that two-thirds of Americans will receive more in dividends than they will pay in higher energy prices: citizensclimatelobby.org/household-impact-study/.

3) Impose a border adjustment fee to level international trade. A 2014 REMI Study shows:

• It could reduce CO2 emissions 52% below 1990 levels in 20 years.

• It can restructure industry for future low carbon planning

• Does NOT increase the size of government nor require new bureaucracies

• Does NOT increase government revenues, rather it increases real disposable income for citizens.

Let’s do our part in putting the brakes on climate change.

If this sounds promising to you, please forward this information to Mayor Ramon Hayes and Town Councilmembers. Request that the Town Council formally endorse HR 763 and send the endorsement to our U.S. Representative and Senators to show them support HR763 and like- minded legislation. Contact them: townoflaconner.org/151/Town-Council.

For more information: citizensclimatelobby.org.

Cross is a retired physical therapist and former Town Councilmember.