Diane Simms
Summer Intern
July 2017
"We are still in” declared Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists at the June 20 statehouse hearing on the carbon pricing bills. He added that the silver lining to Trump pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord is that business, state governments, mayors, and colleges were working even harder to address climate change. So are environmental and climate advocacy groups, including the Sierra Club.
I walked into the Boston Sierra Club office with a slight understanding of carbon pricing considerations. In my 8 days as a Sierra Club intern, I’ve already researched carbon pricing as well as emission trading schemes (also known as Cap and Trade) implemented or under consideration nationally and worldwide trying to understand which are most effective and why.
The importance of partnership in addressing difficult issues was clear at the June 13 Lobby Day sponsored by Climate XChange. The Old West Church was filled with members of advocacy groups as well as private citizens who wanted to do their part to encourage legislators to pass a Carbon Pricing bill. Briefings were provided on how to effectively advocate with your legislator. (For more information on Sierra Club advocacy trainings scheduled this summer, see below.) I was welcomed by the South Shore Climate Action Now participants in their meeting with a senate aide. I was impressed with their positive approach of seeking to understand reservations, correcting possible misunderstandings, and offering information about the benefits of the bills.
I have learned the differences between the three bills under consideration (Benson’s bill H1726, Barrett’s bill S1821, and Pacheco’s bill S1869.) From my environmental science classes, I had an understanding of the benefits of Cap and Trade, but with my research, conversations, and testimony at the hearing, the effectiveness of progressive carbon pricing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is clear. I appreciate the importance of progressive pricing to avoid a detrimental impact to lower income and rural communities. The rebates to individuals and businesses are scaled to more than offset the increased energy expenses of those communities. I learned that the stability provided by carbon pricing, rather than price volatility typical with cap and trade, allows businesses and individuals to do the planning and investment to convert to green energy. Carbon pricing can help to establish Massachusetts as a leader in developing green technologies which will grow our economy. Our state has been a leader in other important progressive issues and can be a force for change in combatting climate change.
For information about free Sierra Club advocacy training sessions at various locations, visit the Events page. Trainings are scheduled on July 19, 24, 27, and 31, and on August 1. If you’re interested in scheduling a training in your community, please email Kevin.OBrien@SierraClub.org.