To the Editor:

One of my first “real jobs” involved carrying contaminated water in five-gallon buckets and pouring it off into 55-gallon drums — heavy work at eight pounds a gallon. Americans use about 200 gallons daily. This morning I read about the thousands of Mississippians who are without water after a winter storm that froze some critical infrastructure. How are they carrying clean water to wash their hands, to bathe in? We are unprepared for these unexpected (but increasingly predictable) infrastructure challenges that are associated with global weirding.

Let’s talk about enacting federal legislation that can be a significant first step in calming our confused climate so there aren’t more of these moments without water for our families. We can agree to put an economy-wide price on carbon pollution. We will see a precipitous drop in emissions; 40% in 12 years. And a check will arrive at our doors — the government passes the money through to Americans. Let your members of Congress know we need an effective price on carbon — an exemplar is the Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act. Eighty-five members of Congress cosponsored it last session. And thousands of economists agree that an effective price on carbon is a necessary first step. You can help add some certainty in these confusing times, just ask for it.

Sincerely,

Laurie Husted

124 Norton Road, Red Hook, N.Y. March 12, 2021

Laurie Husted is a volunteer with the Mid Hudson Valley Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.