Editor,

Let’s hear it for the City of Langley for they’ve consented to hear arguments about endorsing a practical effort to head off climate change in this country. At the city council meeting on Dec. 18, they will be asked by the Whidbey Island Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) to endorse a call for a tax on carbon, the stuff that produces CO2, the main greenhouse gas that 97 percent of credible (and published) atmospheric scientists say is heating our planet to unsustainable temperatures in the coming years.

That practical solution is quite simple: put a tax on carbon production. This will of course raise the price of carbon products (e.g. gas). In true capitalistic fashion, we’ll purchase fewer carbon products and CO2 emissions will decrease.

With a carbon tax, CCL projects a lowering greenhouse gas emissions 52 percent below 1990 levels within 20 years. The best part is that it’s a revenue neutral strategy where proceeds from the tax will be distributed to every citizen of this country (per tax roles).

To extend that practicality component, the national Citizens Climate Lobby (ccl.org) aims to use our existing political system to accomplish this lofty goal. Impossible you say, but CCL has 457 chapters (one on Whidbey) and 62 members of the U.S. House of Representatives on board with the Climate Solutions caucus, with more joining all the time.

When that lobby hits critical mass, legislation will arise and that carbon tax, which should have been implemented years ago, will become a reality. Next we’ll see that trusty American innovation, which we all dream about, tackle how to provide our energy needs in more efficient and renewable ways.

Eighty-four cities have endorsed the CCL carbon tax initiatives. Come to the Dec. 18 Langley Council meeting at 6 p.m. to see if Langley will be number 85, and why they should.

Dean Enell

Citizens Climate Lobby

Langley