Editor,

Would you like to actually do something about climate change? Something more than the small steps toward energy conservation all of us should be making.

Voters in Washington have the opportunity to pass Initiative 732 (I-732) this November. The proposed tax on fossil fuels is revenue neutral. The money paid by oil, gas and coal companies will be used for three things:

• Lower the state sales tax by 1 percent;

•Eliminate the Business and Occupation Tax on manufacturers and;

• Fund a working families tax credit, not bigger state government. Lowering the sales tax and providing a tax credit to low income workers will significantly improve the regressive (that is, unfair to lower income people) tax structure in Washington.

I-732 is similar to a revenue-neutral carbon tax passed in British Columbia in 2008. It has generally been seen as reducing greenhouse gas production without hurting the economy, which has kept up with or exceeded the rest of Canada.

The idea is simple: increase the cost of fossil fuels relative to alternative energy sources and individuals and businesses will have added incentive to lower their carbon footprints. It will encourage development of new alternative energy technology and conservation practices. It will make oil, gas and coal companies pay something for the pollution of our atmosphere that has been going on since the start of the Industrial Revolution.

We have a moral and ethical obligation to our children and grandchildren to address climate change. Support I-732. Don’t miss this opportunity.

For YES On I-732 yard signs or bumper stickers, contact me at threshold@whidbey.com or 206-930 -9693.

JOHN GOERTZEL

Langley