The Climate Solution

Should, in my opinion, be composed of 4 major parts:

1) A carbon price. Key features: that it is implemented soon, that it has a believable upward trajectory of price, and that it is adjustable in the future as politics, science, and economics warrant.

I would prefer a tax to cap-and-trade, and a floor/ceiling cap-and-trade to a borrowing/banking cap-and-trade. I would like the revenues from the instrument to flow mostly back to the people: eg, cap-and-dividend - I'm not particular about mechanism (per person direct payment, payroll tax reduction) as long as it is a progressive cash return to compensate the somewhat regressive nature of the carbon price.

2) Non-market corrections: eg, the landlord-tenant market failure where the landlord has no incentive to invest in energy efficiency upgrades to reduce tenant energy rates, and the non-transparency of the market means tenants don't have full information up-front to choose less expensive buildings. I think a key issue here is smart-growth and urban planning. Also, eliminating the mortgage deduction for homes above a certain square footage and other such subsidies of energy-expensive behavior. Transmission system upgrades would be here too.

3) R&D: Research into new technologies, pilot projects, etc: fusion, advanced fission, carbon sequestration, advanced batteries, advanced transmission systems, geothermal, tidal, other energy systems, energy efficiency research, and even urban planning research.

4) International engagement: Obviously, entering a post-2012 Kyoto would work, but a "harmonized" set of national policies could be an alternative.

Other issues involve other gases, black carbon, albedo issues, education, improved climate research, etc.