Commentary

1.  Congress needs to pass a law that creates an economic incentive for lower carbon dioxide emissions. 

This could be in the form of a carbon tax or a cap and trade system.  Either way, once there is an explicit economic cost to CO2 emissions, capitalism can do what it does best: optimize business activity to reduce costs. 

The Bush Administration argues against CO2 regulation by saying we should let private enterprise solve this problem without getting the government involved.  Yet, the Bush Administration was sufficiently concerned about our energy problem to get the government to give oil and coal corporation tax breaks.  (Do oil and coal companies really need more cash?  We should have granted large tax breaks for renewable energy instead.) As a result, we know that the Bush Administration's opposition to changing the rules on CO2 emissions is not based on principal but on preference. 

We have been through this before and we know how it works.  Businesses used to dump pollution into rivers and lakes because it was a cost-free waste disposal solution.  Of course the costs were enormous but they were felt by property owners, health and life insurance companies, etc.  We decided to step in and change the rules so that there were costs involved.  Now our waterways are much cleaner and we are all proud of the result. 

Here is what it comes down to.  With today's economic rules, if I am building a new electric power plant I'm better off financially if I burn coal.  If I'm building a car, I'm better off focusing on power and size (as in more of both) than I am focusing on better gas mileage.  With today's rules, the economic costs of CO2 emissions are felt later and by others. 

So let's change the rules.  American businesses are ready.  For a list of businesses already signed up for the change, go to www.us-cap.org.

2.  Reduce your carbon emissions by at least 20%.
There are relatively easy changes to make that don't require you to give up your SUV or turn off your central air conditioning.  You can use less hot water, recycle more aluminum and paper, turn down (or up depending on the season) your thermostat.  Even better, you can put in programmable thermostats which will change the temperature for you automatically when you are not in your home.  Next time you are ready for a new car or truck, buy a more efficient one.  Contact your electricity company and request power generated from renewable (CO2-reduced) sources.  Or go ahead and install solar power.

20% is doable.  Many EnergyRace members have already accomplished this.

3.  Pay a little extra to reduce your carbon emissions by 50% to 100%.
Not ready to trade in your big SUV for a Toyota RAV4?  Not ready to spend $20k on a solar power on your roof?  I don't blame you.  There is an alternative.  Pay a little extra each year to have carbon emissions reduced on your behalf. 

An American family with an average-sized house and two cars emits 20 tons of CO2 per year.  So spend an extra $20 per month to reduce CO2 somewhere in the world to compensate for your CO2 emissions.

Don't let anyone talk you out of this idea by saying that it's a cop out.  Having your money do some good on your behalf is a sign of generosity and thoughtfulness.

The only catch here is to make sure that you spend your money on CO2 reduction that is effective.  There are good vendors and not-so-good vendors.  More on this in a follow on article.