Fighting Climate Change and Boosting the Economy in One Easy Step

One of the arguments used against taking aggressive action on climate change is that the restrictions required will hinder our booming economy.

Oh, but wait, our economy isn't booming. The drum of progress around here is hardly evening thudding. Ever since the last cymbal crash that signified the subprime mortgage crisis, we are down to a very low volume on economic growth.

So the argument turns into one about how taking strong action on climate change will hurt the economy even more when it's most vulnerable. Apparently whether it's booming or busting, our economy can't handle any rigorous adjustments.

Well, I don't buy it. And neither, according to a poll done by Associated Press and Stanford University, neither do a large number of my countrymen.

Instead of fearing for the health of our economy in the face of these adjustments, we believe that doing what we need to do to confront the climate crisis will make our economy stronger, not weaker.

A full 40 percent of those surveyed said that taking action would create jobs, and 46 percent said it would jump-start the economy. Fewer than 30 percent believe taking action will hurt the economy and cause job losses. It looks like the Republicans touting this reasoning are out of step with the larger part of the citizenry.

If we can kill two birds with one stone — curb climate change and boost our fortunes — why not get a move on and make some commitments already?

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