A study published this month (“The clean energy claims of BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell: A mismatch between discourse, actions and investments,” plos.org) ) told us that four big oil companies are misleading us on their efforts to wean off fossil fuels. BP and Shell have vowed to reduce investments in fossil fuel projects, but they have actually increased their acreage for new fossil fuel exploration in recent years. ExxonMobil generated no clean energy at all during the last decade (2009-2020). These companies are not even coming close to meeting goals necessary to slow climate change. If we want a planet that will sustain our children and grandchildren, we need to act now.

A bill in Congress, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, aims to put a tax on carbon, and to return the money to the people. This bill gives oil companies the opportunity to lower their taxes by lowering their carbon footprints, and the act will put more money in the pockets of the American people.

You can read about this bill and learn more about Citizens’ Climate Lobby at citizensclimate.org. Please call or email your Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, and your Reps. Chellie Pingree or Jared Golden to let them know you care about climate change, and that you support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.

Sally Melcher-McKeagney

Fairfield