AS HIGH SCHOOL LEADERS from schools across the country, we recognize the climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. While the precise effects of climate instability remain uncertain, the risks to American health, prosperity, and freedom are too grave to ignore.

While most of us cannot yet vote, we are sending a resounding message to those who can and to the members of Congress whose leadership is needed more than ever: It is long past time to stop dithering and get down to business.

This is why we are stepping forward today—as a coalition of high school student leaders from across the United States—to advance the breakthrough, bipartisan climate solution known as carbon dividends. 

The carbon dividends framework has emerged as a cornerstone solution with remarkably broad appeal. Its supporters range from President Ronald Reagan’s Secretary of State to President Obama’s Secretary of Energy, and from major energy companies to top environmental NGOs. This solution has also earned the endorsement of 3,500+ economists—including a record 28 Nobel Prize-winners—the largest statement of economists in American history.

To this unprecedented show of force, we now add our own support. We are proud to stand with student leaders across the country in uniting behind the four pillars of this cornerstone solution:

1. A gradually-rising, revenue-neutral price on carbon pollution;

2. Carbon dividend payments to all Americans;

3. The phase-out of carbon regulations that are no longer necessary;

4. Border carbon adjustments to level the playing field for workers and businesses and hold other countries accountable.

The carbon dividends strategy enjoys sweeping, enthusiastic support from experts across the political spectrum and provides the basis for a genuine climate breakthrough. By unleashing American clean energy innovation, it would achieve emissions reductions far faster, cheaper, and greater than ever before.

As an ever-growing coalition of young people—from all backgrounds and sides of the political spectrum–we are clear-eyed about what climate disruption means for our generation. That’s why we recognize the power of the carbon dividends solution to bridge partisan divides, strengthen our economy, and protect our shared environment. 

We Americans like to say that there is no problem we cannot solve, and climate change should be no exception. Where our political leaders can’t seem to get their act together, we are happy to lead the way.