Put a Price on Carbon by Team MITACAL
Pitch
Pricing carbon is the most efficient and politically feasible mechanism to effect an economy wide reduction in greenhouse gas consumption.
Description
Summary
Opportunities exist right now to advocate for legislation in several states including Washington, Oregon, Vermont and Massachusetts for pricing carbon. A federal bill has also been filed in the US Senate by Rhode Island senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Some conservative politicians including George Schulz and Bob Inglis are promoting it hard. Carbon Pricing is implemented in British Columbia in Canada to good effect. A 100% revenue neutral approach returns all the money back to consumers, rewarding those that reduce the most and punishing (slightly) those that reduce the least. Without drastically altering the economy, this gentle pricing signal can spur necessary behavior changes in individuals and businesses.
What actions do you propose?
MIT Alumni tend to be successful and well respected members of their community. By advocating for carbon pricing they can have a strong impact on moving legislation forward. Specific actions include:
1. Learn more about the concept and available resources, including Citizens Climate Lobby, and the American Sustainable Business Council.
2. Network with other Alumni and experts all over the world working on this issue.
3. Organize community forums, house parties and other opportunities to educate people on the concept.
4. Meet with legislators to ask them to support or introduce carbon pricing legislation.
5. Advocate for carbon pricing in your jurisdiction and assist others in doing so in their jurisdictions.
Here is a short video introduction to the basic concept of carbon pricing.
By:
Team MITACAL
