A Conservative Answer to Climate Change

James A. Baker, III, and George P. Shultz — both former secretaries of state and Treasury secretaries — offer "A Conservative Answer to Climate Change" in a commentary for The Wall Street Journal. "Just as in the 1980s, there is mounting evidence of problems with the atmosphere that are growing too compelling to ignore," they write. Their solution rests on four pillars:

• "Creating a gradually increasing carbon tax.
• Returning the tax proceeds to the American people in the form of dividends.
• Establishing border carbon adjustments that protect American competitiveness and encourage other countries to follow suit.
• Rolling back government regulations once such a system is in place."

"Controlling the White House and Congress means that Republicans bear the responsibility of exercising wise leadership on the defining challenges of our era. Climate change is one of these issues," they conclude.

• Read the full commentary in the Feb. 7, 2017, edition of The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

The response from the media includes:

• The Washington Post: "Senior Republican statesmen propose replacing Obama’s climate policies with a carbon tax"
• The New York Times: "Republican Group Calls for Carbon Tax"
• The Atlantic: "The Republican Carbon Tax Is Republican, Say Republicans"
• Science: "A group of prominent Republicans just launched a longshot bid for a carbon tax"
• Time Magazine: "Republicans Tell Their Party It's Time to Address Climate Change"
• Associated Press: "Carbon tax push from former GOP officials faces uphill slog"
• Bloomberg News: "Old-Guard Republicans to Push Carbon Tax at White House Meeting" 
• New Republic: "Republicans Beg Their Party to Finally Do Something About Climate Change"
• CNN: "Republican elders float carbon tax, plan White House lobbying campaign"