The gist: In coming months, climate policy will be written for the Northwest, as state leaders begin to implement the recommendations of the Western Climate Initiative. In a period of economic anxiety for families and governments alike, it’s more crucial than ever that advocates for effective and equitable climate policy win the debate on fairness and economic benefits for our region.
Fair climate policy puts people first, not polluters — but, unfortunately, this kind of built-in fairness is up against strong opposition from special interests.
Based on an analysis of recent media coverage and Sightline Institute’s extensive research on cap and trade, we’ve developed talking points for advocates of just and equitable climate policy that frame the debate around fairness and economic opportunity — and counter the most common oppositional arguments to fair levels of auctioned permits and offsets.
Click here for Sightline’s Media Audit and Message Memo>>
Who said it?
“Our economy needs a shot in the arm…and there’s no part in greater need of transformation or with greater promise for kicking our economy back into gear than our energy sector.” — John Kerry
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Talking Points:
1) People first, not polluters.
Low-income families get hit hardest by volatile fossil fuel prices — and they’re the most vulnerable to climate impacts. Free permits equate to windfall profits for big polluters at the expense of consumers.
2) Invest in our communities.
Revenues from auctioned pollution permits allow us to invest our energy dollars here at home, generating our own renewable energy, increasing efficiency, and building public transportation near housing and jobs.
3) Stabilize energy costs.
Unstable energy prices are whiplashing family budgets. The revenues from auctioned cap-and-trade permits can go directly back to families and toward vital investments in efficiency, good green jobs, and stable energy sources that we produce here at home.
4) Create good, local jobs.
The clean energy transition is on its way and our state can’t afford to wait around. We already have the ingenuity and the know-how — and a ready workforce. By leading the change, we can attract good green jobs to our communities.
5) Boost our economy.
More than ever, our economy needs a boost. The growing green economy can deliver tremendous opportunities for the state. Investing in our families and our future today, we position ourselves to lead the way as the nation and the world moves to a clean energy economy.
Click here for a print-friendly version of the talking points>>
Talking Points in Action: Challenging the most common oppositional messages
Opponents of fair climate policy say: Energy costs from auctioned permits are going to hurt low-income families.
Don’t be fooled!
- Unstable energy prices are whiplashing family budgets. Low-income families get hit hardest by volatile fossil fuel prices — and they’re the most vulnerable to climate impacts. Free permits equate to windfall profits for big polluters at the expense of consumers.
- Auctioned cap and trade permits put the interests of people ahead of the interests of polluters by returning dollars spent on energy directly back in families’ bank accounts and investing in stable energy sources that we produce here at home.
Opponents of fair climate policy say: Climate policy puts our state at a competitive disadvantage.
Don’t be fooled!
- The energy economy of the next decades is not fossil fuel-based. And the change is happening now. We have a responsibility to local families and workers to put our state ahead of the curve and build a clean energy economy right here at home.
- Fair, effective climate policy allows us to shift away from expensive and volatile fossil fuels and positions us to compete in the fast-growing global market for clean technology.
Opponents of fair climate policy say: Our economy is too fragile to think about environmental issues.
Don’t be fooled!
- More than ever, our economy needs a boost. The growing green economy can deliver tremendous opportunities for our state — if we get started right away. Investments we make today help our families and communities recover and position us as leaders as the nation and the world move to a clean energy economy.
- Families and businesses in our communities will suffer from high prices and financial insecurity unless we aggressively reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by capping dangerous fossil fuel pollution and investing in clean, domestic alternatives.
Opponents of fair climate policy say: Climate policies will drive jobs out of our region.
Don’t be fooled!
- The clean energy transition is on its way and our state can’t afford to wait around. We have the ingenuity and the know-how — and a ready workforce. By leading the change, we can attract good green jobs to our communities.
- We owe it to the residents of the state to get a head start on the road to energy independence, build a stable clean energy economy, and put our workers ahead of the curve when it comes to clean energy jobs. Investment in clean energy and infrastructure creates more and better jobs than continued investment in dirty energy — both in the short and long term.
Opponents of fair climate policy say: We should wait for a national program.
Don’t be fooled!
- Every step we take in the state today towards a strong clean-energy economy puts our families and businesses at an advantage if and when national policy to cut carbon emissions is adopted. The states that don’t act now will be more susceptible to higher energy prices because they won’t have become more energy efficient and they’ll have to buy technological innovations from states that took early action.
- Why wait to boost our economy and create jobs by investing in the energy efficiency of our buildings, transportation, and electricity infrastructure, as well as rapid deployment of clean renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar, and advanced biofuels?
Opponents of fair climate policy say: a carbon tax is simpler than cap and trade.
That’s not enough.
There’s no substitute for a solid cap on climate warming pollution. A cap — with no loopholes or leaks — is a solid backstop or guardrail behind all our other climate policies. It’s the only guarantee that we’ll reach our targets.
Click here for a print-friendly version of the talking points in action>>
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