As we gasp for clean air here in Chicago in the middle of summer it is hard not to think about lemmings jumping off the cliff.
 | But, according to AI: Lemmings are small, stout-bodied rodents known for their short legs, stumpy tails, and distinctive, dense fur. While they are often associated with mass suicidal migrations off cliffs, this is a myth perpetuated by Disney in the 1950s. Maybe we can learn from the lemmings? |
We have the human condition called greed which is a powerful driver.
As Lillian Hellman summarized: “Callous greed grows pious very fast”
Exxon Mobil Corporation announced today it’s Q2 earnings of $7.1 billion, exceeding analysts estimates. Production was the highest Q2 level in twenty-five years. This supported the distribution of $9.2 billion to shareholders, including $4.3 billion in dividends and $5.0 billion in share repurchases and a lot of dirty air!
Climate Change Denial Packaged as Freedom and Patriotism
The Trump administration this week, announced a plan to overturn an EPA finding that supports much of the agency’s actions to mitigate climate change. The administration through it’s EPA Chairman, Lee Zeldin, argues that the EPA doesn’t have the legal authority to regulate greenhouse gases. The agency proposes to undo the government’s “endangerment finding,” a determination that pollutants from developing and burning fossil fuels, such as methane and carbon dioxide, can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Under the Clean Air Act the EPA is responsible to identify and address air pollution that may endanger public health and welfare.
The Trump Administration ignores the clear evidence of the terrible effects of these pollutants on human health and welfare while arguing that the kind of regulation long required by the Clean Air Act is simply a bad idea.
Money in the Mix
We know Exxon is coughing up a lot of money in their pursuit of carbon production. In 2024 they invested $6,820,000 in lobbying efforts. They are not alone in pandering to Congress. The industry spent $243 million lobbying Congress and almost $80 million supporting Trump and his MAGA accomplices in 2024.
When climate change became a public topic, the carbon lobby began a public relations campaign to undermine understanding of climate change and to block meaningful policy response. Since then, the fossil fuel industry has actively denied and cast doubt on climate science, confused the public and politicians, and prevented climate and clean energy policies through disinformation, lobbying, and propaganda and continues to do so, for example by claiming there is no climate consensus among scientists. These scientists have reported government and oil-industry pressure to censor or suppress their work and hide scientific data, with directives not to discuss the subject publicly.
Bending The Greed
Carbon Fee and Dividend: is a policy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by imposing a fee on fossil fuels and distributing the collected revenue back to the public.
How It Works
- Carbon Fee: is imposed on the carbon content of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) at the point where they enter the economy (e.g., at the mine, well, or port of entry). This fee is based on the carbon dioxide (CO2) the fuel would generate when burned. The fee increases over time, sending a clear price signal to businesses and consumers to reduce fossil fuel use and transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
- Dividend: the revenue collected from the carbon fee, minus administrative costs, is returned to households as a monthly or regular payment, according to Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Benefits
- Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The rising fee incentivizes a shift towards cleaner energy sources and technologies, ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Economic Transition: The fee encourages innovation in clean energy technologies and creates new job opportunities in the green economy.
- Fairness and Equity: By returning the revenue as a dividend, the system aims to protect low- and middle-income households from a disproportionate burden of the transition to a clean energy economy. Studies suggest that a significant majority of households would receive more in dividends than they pay in increased costs.
- Improved Health: Reducing fossil fuel reliance can lead to cleaner air, potentially preventing premature deaths and improving public health.
Let’s Forego Humble Bragging and Virtue Signals
and Channel the Greed!!