Readers' forum: Initiate carbon tax

I applaud former Sen. Bob Bennett for his sensible article on approaching climate change ("On climate change, let sense rule," Dec. 5). Yes, reducing our carbon footprint is both possible and it makes good economic sense. Bennett also points out that developing nations continue to increase their greenhouse gases even as the U.S. emissions have decreased.

How can the U.S., which has created more of the excess greenhouse gases than any other nation, influence these nations to reduce their use of carbon dioxide-producing fuels?

The U.S. should build on the success that Bennett notes by putting a price on carbon and returning the proceeds to the American people. Such a proposal is the basis of the Save our Climate Act (HR3242), which was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would further stimulate our move to energy efficiency and use of renewable energy and provide a strong incentive for other nations to adopt their own carbon tax.

As Bennett affirms, cap and trade has not worked. Let's try a new legislative approach that makes sense.

David S. Folland

Sandy