Most climate scientists agree that carbon dioxide, which is released into the atmosphere following the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, is the primary long-lived greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. The increasing effects of climate change have become obvious in recent years and their growing impacts pose greater threats for future generations. In a major September 10, 2018 speech on climate change United NationsSecretary-Generall António Guterres state:d “If we do not change course by 2020, we risk missing the point where we can avoid runaway climate change, with disastrous consequences for people and all the natural systems that sustain us.” This seminar series will cover what climate change means for the American people and steps being taken to confront it. Highly qualified experts will present the three seminars.

Government Policies to Deal With Climate Change

Don Fullerton, Gutgsell Professor, Department of Finance and Institute of Public Affairs (Associate Director), University of Illinois Former Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Analysis), U.S. Treasury Department. As a state of Illinois consultant, Dr. Fullerton examines the use of taxes as a means to address climate change and obtain needed revenue.

We suffer from a host of environmental problems that interact with each other, including climate change, local air pollution, chemical waste, water pollution, and solid waste disposal. Policies to deal with these problems also interact with each other. This presentation will consider the interactions, and how government can balance policies to deal with multiple problems.