Almost every day I read about how Hawaii is firmly on the pathway to addressing the climate crisis. Now we need a national climate policy that supports these efforts.

Hawaii’s congressional representatives have supported national solutions for years, and now these solu- tions are getting the attention they deserve. In a few weeks, 1,300 Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) volunteers, including four from Hawaii representing 879 local CCL members, will be meeting with representatives in Washington, D.C., to lobby for the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.

This national bipartisan legislation would rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by placing a fee on fossil fuels that is then returned as a month- ly dividend to citizens to cover increased costs during the transition.

According to 3,500 economists, pricing carbon is the most cost-effective lever to reduce carbon emissions at the scale and speed that is necessary. It’s an American solution — equitable and market-driven.

Virginia Tincher

Aina Haina

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