PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 17, 2024
If we were to imagine a policy that not only reduces carbon emissions and stimulates the economy but also unites arguably the largest divide in the U.S. – the polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties – we wouldn’t be dreaming; these are the promises of a well-designed carbon tax. Such a policy could help bridge the partisan divide in the U.S. because it would align with conservative and liberal priorities. It would incentivize a reduction in carbon emissions due to the promise of increased economic efficiency while generating government revenue for social redistribution. To mitigate financial inequality some of the government revenue raised by the tax could be used for recurring payments to low-income Americans. ~ Will Childs and Nico Schermer, students at Bowdoin College