By Jaimi McPeek, Citizens’ Climate Lobby
As a scuba diver, part of the appeal has always been swimming through crystal-clear waters to immerse myself in the stunning underwater world unfolding in front of me.
But in recent years, I have seen a significant change in water quality. Instead of the clear, colorful, underwater ecosystem of swims gone by, I’ve been dismayed to encounter murky, particle-filled areas of water. The biodiversity is diminishing and vibrant coral ecosystems that used to be swimming with life are now graveyards of snow-white bleached coral.
As a conservative Republican, I recognize that climate change is a growing worldwide threat. Last year was the hottest year on record, with the average temperature being 2.12 degrees F above the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 1850-2023 climate record. The primary cause is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions that humans have released into our atmosphere. These greenhouse gases absorb heat and trap it, which warms up the Earth’s surface.
Unfortunately, as our climate warms, Florida is experiencing more ocean heat waves that exacerbate algal blooms and acidification. Warmer waters lead to rising sea levels, increased flooding, more intense hurricanes and higher rainfalls. These changes are harming our coral reefs, mangroves and other unique, valuable ecosystems that Floridians take pride in.
The ecological horrors are not my only concern. There are also economic consequences. Threats to our reefs alone threaten $55 billion in annual tourism revenue, and the impacts of storms and adapting to a future with increased natural disasters are costing our state billions. As a result, property insurance is rising in cost and harder to secure.
As conservatives, we emphasize the importance of personal responsibility to behave sustainably, but individual lifestyle changes alone won’t be able to solve the problem. We must think of the bigger picture.
As a nation, we need to continue to take reasonable actions to reduce our country’s carbon pollution. We are heading in the right direction — our emissions peaked in 2007, then declined 17.5% between 2007 and 2022, and our economy produces fewer emissions during manufacturing than similar industries overseas.
Meanwhile, foreign polluters such as China and India continue increasing their carbon emissions. Right now, countries with lower environmental standards can undercut American manufacturers without penalty, creating an unfair trade advantage. However, we can level the playing field and protect Florida by making foreign polluters pay.
We can do this through a trade policy that puts America first: a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. This would collect a fee at the border from high-polluting countries that undercut our domestic manufacturers. With 30% of global emissions presently generated by the production and transport of exported and imported goods, this is a great place to focus our attention.
Fortunately, Republicans are finding their footing on this important climate issue. In November, Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced the Foreign Pollution Fee Act. This bill proposes a fee on key materials such as aluminum, cement, iron and steel and fossil fuels based on their carbon pollution.
This policy puts everyone on an equal playing field by holding foreign polluters accountable for the environmental irresponsibility that harms places like Florida when our climate warms. We can support America’s cleaner manufacturing while incentivizing other countries to do better.
Former Trump administration U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has supported this approach: “It puts the U.S. on equal footing with Chinese manufacturers who cheat and pollute to gain a competitive advantage. China can minimize the fee by adhering to the same environmental standards as U.S.-based manufacturers … The purpose is to defend our manufacturers and workers from fundamentally unfair competition.”
To this end, it’s time for Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to join their Republican colleagues in taking action to hold polluters such as China and India accountable by exploring the concept of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. It’s time to penalize unfair trade practices and protect what we love.
Florida’s waters should be clean and teeming with healthy ocean life. Let’s ensure big polluters no longer muddy our waters.
Jaimi McPeek is an environmental scientist who focuses on animal conservation and environmental preservation. She is a lifelong Florida resident and an advanced open-water scuba diver. She is an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund and works closely with Citizens’ Climate Lobby advocating for the environment.
If you are interested in submitting an opinion piece to The Invading Sea, email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here.
