The Carbon Dividends Song¹  (sung to the tune of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”)

Let us come together

To enact a carbon tax

And with quarterly dividends²

Rebate this money back

Republicans and Democrats

Together back on track

And America marches on 

****************CHORUS***********************

Sustainability forever

Oh what we can do together

Responsibility forever

United we are strong

****************************************************

Building bridges to our future

Economists lead the way

In bipartisan fashion

The people have their say

By pricing in pollution

The market³ saves the day

And democracy marches on

CHORUS

What climate science tells us⁴

From this we cannot hide  

                                        continued top of next column è

So let us pull together

And bridge our big divide⁵

As we act to save Earth’s climate

We humbly hit our stride

And humanity marches on

CHORUS

With kind hearts and open minds

Our planet we won’t trash

But keep ignoring hidden costs

And society will crash

Wanting happiness for everyone

Hey, that’s not something rash

With compassion we march on

CHORUS

So we say to politicians

Please just do your job

Think of all the children

Don’t from their future rob

Ignore this polite request

And you’ll face an angry mob

So please just do your job!

                                 CHORUS

NOTES

1  words by Stephen P. Cook, , Project Worldview http://www.projectworldview.org based on CLC plan www.clcouncil.org

2   An initial  $40 per ton tax on carbon emitted in burning fossil fuels would bring in ~$200 billion / year to be shared equally by all Americans. The Climate Leadership Council says “Families of four would see an average annual payout of $2000” by the Soc. Security Admn. The tax would slowly rise. A border adjustment tax would hike prices on imports from countries that don’t impose carbon taxes--giving them incentives to do so. 

3   The carbon tax factors environmental costs into prices.  So prices of gasoline, non-renewable derived home heating fuels / electricity, etc. will rise. Rebates will offset increases—but 70% of Americans with lower incomes come out ahead since the wealthy tend to pollute more. Pricier fossil fuel will spur innovation, promote renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help us meet Paris climate pact goals.  

4   2016 average global temperatures set a record for the third straight year—with the increase above the previous year’s values being the largest ever.  Today average global temperatures are the highest they’ve been in the last 125,000 years! (see USA Today Jan 18 2017 story). 

5   The CLC says “Polls reveal 64% of Americans favor this plan, including 54% of conservative Republicans. The popularity of dividends is crucial not only to the initial passage of carbon taxes, but also to ensure ongoing support for gradually increasing the carbon tax rate.”