Re: “Trump’s actions will increase emissions. Is that really what we want?” April 1 editorial.

Thank you, Denver Post editorial board, for your rational views about Donald Trump’s attacks on U.S. climate change policies. As you say, we know the Earth is warming. Even in this polarized time, two-thirds of Americans accept that reality. As you also note, almost all climate scientists agree that human activities are driving climate change.

So the burden of proof falls on Trump to justify the extreme risks he’s taking with our lives and the lives of our children. In his time, Ronald Reagan understood the need to take out an insurance policy against environmental risk — and he acted decisively to limit emissions of ozone-depleting chemicals. Where can we find leadership now?

Rep. Ed Perlmutter and Sen. Michael Bennet are among those who’ve spoken passionately against Trump’s backward policies. Call your representative and senators. Tell them to protect our future if the president won’t.

Jarett Zuboy, Golden

If carbon dioxide is viewed by enough of us as a pollutant, we will eventually do the difficult and right thing. We will find ways to reduce carbon consumption. Cost is a primary driver for the decisions of world citizens. So the cost of releasing carbon into the air must increase.

America needs to lead the way for China, India and countries of the Paris agreement and be willing to pay more for electricity and gasoline. Rather than back off of international commitments, America should lead the way in developing cleaner power.

Not only will this make America great again, but our wide-eyed children will be in awe of our vision and sacrifices.

Robert Brayden, Lakewood

Your editorial on Donald Trump’s rollback of the Clean Power Plan is right about the dangers of increasing CO2 emissions. However, your are mistaken in saying that reducing emissions “would be uncomfortable for all of us.” The tax-and-dividend proposal put forth by the Republican Climate Leadership Council offers a gradually increasing tax on carbon emissions, paid by fossil-fuel producers, with all revenue sent to American households in the form of equal dividends. Studies have shown that the dividends would offset price increases for gas and heating fuel for about two-thirds of Americans, and would provide a significant stimulus to the American economy while reducing emissions more quickly than the Clean Power Plan.

Let’s get past the myth that the economy has to suffer when we limit emissions, and listen to the conservative economists who are telling us that a market-based approach would benefit businesses and families.

Jerry Eubank, ​Denver

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