Callan Swafford: Carbon fee the key

After the Paris climate talks reached agreement, my expectations were surpassed, just as Thomas Friedman wrote in the article “A big, big deal.” Friedman noted how difficult agreeing on common grounds can be, recognizing 188 countries offered plans at the talks.

While plans are going to take time and commitment to heal our sensitive Earth, results of the talks provide hope for the future. With the United States strongly exploring prices on carbon, I have to again agree with Friedman.

The key, the “Holy Grail,” to the future of climate change lies in the cost of carbon and its emissions. That is why I support a nonpartisan carbon tax with 100 percent dividend to U.S. households. This carbon tax would phase out carbon emissions in America by making them more expensive than clean-energy options, guiding future consumers to sustainability.

Considering the expected 2 billion additions to the population by 2050, it can be assumed they will be consumers of energy-demanding products like cars, and for the first time ever, these consumers will be able to afford clean-power options. And, with a carbon fee, choose in favor of clean energy, ultimately leading to a happy climate.

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Callan Swafford: Carbon fee the key."