Guest opinion: Earth Month means fighting carbon, revitalizing the Earth

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The month of April has been abuzz with Earth Month celebrations. Hearteningly, we have seen citizens across the Bay Area, California and indeed, the rest of the country too, joining hands to celebrate this remarkable movement that was among the first to recognize the ill-effects of wanton industrialization on life, health and general well-being.

First celebrated on 22nd April 1970, the movement had inspired 20 million Americans to vocalize their concerns, which, positively, led to the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and its many successful climate legislations.

Since then, the succeeding decades have been quite remarkable. Beginning here in the U.S., the climate movement has permeated other parts of the world, led to the establishment of a dedicated United Nations body to fight climate change, and changed power dynamics unlike ever before. We have voyaged through phases of ignorance, denial, anger, bargaining and, finally, acceptance to know that it is our planet, it is threatened by us — and we must save it.

There is so much we must do to limit the warming of our planet below 1.5 degrees Celsius. We must support others, particularly developing countries, and that is possible only if we strengthen our own infrastructure and systems to become climate-friendly. The end is clear and the paths are many. But we must start from a single point of convergence — one where we recognize that the biggest threat to our climate is indeed carbon.

Rethinking carbon

A Pew Research Center survey of 10,237 U.S. adults finds that 69% of U.S. adults prioritize developing alternative clean energy sources over expanding the production of oil, coal and natural gas. The same share also favors the U.S. becoming carbon neutral by 2050, a key component of President Joe Biden’s climate and energy policy agenda. The numbers are encouraging and the ill-effects of carbon are undeniable. Now, with the White House agenda established in place, Congress has much to do in bringing to life our national net-zero carbon ambitions.

U.S. Rep Salud Carbajal, who represents California congressional district 24, took an important step in introducing the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA) of 2023. This bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fossil fuels or any other product derived from those fuels that will result in the emission of greenhouse gases. The fee is imposed on producers or importers of the fuels and is equal to the greenhouse gas content of the fuel multiplied by the carbon fee rate.

Most encouragingly, the bill enforces that the fees must be deposited into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund that will be used for administrative expenses and dividend payments to U.S. citizens or lawful residents. Introduced in September 2023, the bill currently has 14 cosponsors.

And what better time than Earth Month to think about this important legislation that not only quantifies the cost of carbon in the atmosphere but also redirects cash flows to empower citizens in their climate journey.

Citizens first

Remember, the 1970 Earth Day movement began with a convergence of citizens’ interests and became successful because of the 20 million U.S. citizens — 10% of the country’s population then — who voiced their concerns and took to the streets. The power of converging citizen sentiments can be a true force of nature and the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023 recognizes exactly this.

Earth Month is not just a time to celebrate the climate movement but also a momentous occasion to celebrate the power of ordinary citizens. In celebrating this month — which indeed should be a year-round mantra — let’s join hands to save the planet and also, celebrate ourselves. Our power, our ability, and our empowerment in making a difference is what truly matters!

Radhika Dutt is a Mountain View resident and an energy communications specialist. She has also been a journalist and volunteers with the nonprofit Citizens’ Climate Lobby.