Given the unfolding crisis in Eastern Europe, I see three imperatives for our country. The first is to support Ukraine in whatever fashion we can, short of provoking a world war. The second is to help European nations achieve energy independence from Russia by supplying them with liquified natural gas and oil. The third is to continue efforts to decarbonize our economy and meet our climate goals – which, at first blush, seems incompatible with the first two.

Inasmuch as we must continue oil and gas production for the sake of Ukraine and Europe, we have no choice but to tighten our belts and reduce consumption of fossil fuels at home. Americans are not very good at this sort of thing. We like our automobiles and our freedom to travel as we please. And members of Congress, to say nothing of the president, will be reluctant to sacrifice re-election by advocating belt tightening.

I envision two effective responses to this Catch 22: The first is to enact a carbon tax – a “fee” that includes a dividend shared by all Americans. It would dampen our enthusiasm for fossil fuels generally, and fairly distribute the savings. The other option is equitable gasoline rationing, a measure we instituted during World War II. This may seem extreme, but so is the threat of climate catastrophe. The Ukrainians are struggling to save their lives and their homeland. Surely we can drive less to support their cause.

Joe Hardy
Wells

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