NASA's Hansen: "One hundred percent dividend or fight!"

In his briefing [PDF] to Congress yesterday on the climate crisis, NASA scientist James Hansen warned that our planet perches at a dangerous tipping point, with all the elements of cataclysm assembled: sea ice melting, ice sheets disintegrating, ecosystems collapsing. Yet humankind continues to pump out greenhouse gas pollution as if there's no tomorrow, making that an all-too-real possibility for some species.

Hansen blamed fossil energy companies for delaying the transition to a renewable energy future by sowing doubt among the public about the reality and urgency of climate change, and he reiterated his call that CEOs of these companies should be tried for "high crimes against humanity and nature."

But he also pointed out that convicting the CEOs of ExxonMobil and Peabody Energy would be little consolation if at the same time we face an out-of-control climate. He called on citizens to take the lead in making change -- and especially young people, whose very future is at stake:

We must demand a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants. We must block fossil fuel interests who aim to squeeze every last drop of oil from public lands, off-shore, and wilderness areas. Those last drops are no solution. They yield continued exorbitant profits for a short-sighted self-serving industry, but no alleviation of our addiction or long-term energy source.

Hansen also offered his recommendation for moving quickly from fossil fuels to clean energy sources -- and it has nothing to do with complicated carbon cap-and-trade schemes like the Climate Security Act sponsored by U.S. Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and John Warner of Virginia and recently rejected by their colleagues:

A price on emissions that cause harm is essential. Yes, a carbon tax. Carbon tax with 100 percent dividend is needed to wean us off fossil fuel addiction. Tax and dividend allows the marketplace, not politicians, to make investment decisions.

Carbon tax on coal, oil and gas is simple, applied at the first point of sale or port of entry. The entire tax must be returned to the public, an equal amount to each adult, a half-share for children. This dividend can be deposited monthly in an individual's bank account.

Carbon tax with 100 percent dividend is non-regressive. On the contrary, you can bet that low and middle income people will find ways to limit their carbon tax and come out ahead. Profligate energy users will have to pay for their excesses.

Demand for low-carbon high-efficiency products will spur innovation, making our products more competitive on international markets. Carbon emissions will plummet as energy efficiency and renewable energies grow rapidly. Black soot, mercury and other fossil fuel emissions will decline. A brighter, cleaner future, with energy independence, is possible.

Washington likes to spend our tax money line-by-line. Swarms of high-priced lobbyists in alligator shoes help Congress decide where to spend, and in turn the lobbyists' clients provide "campaign" money.

The public must send a message to Washington. Preserve our planet, creation, for our children and grandchildren, but do not use that as an excuse for more tax-and-spend. Let this be our motto: "One hundred percent dividend or fight!"

For more on Hansen's idea, read his recent paper titled "Carbon Tax and 100% Dividend: No Alligator Shoes" [PDF]. For more details on the carbon tax, visit the Carbon Tax Center's website.