Andrew Yang states that economic incentives are crucial for climate action

The US company uses the "almighty dollar," said Yang, making economic incentives the key to fighting climate change.

The government, he said, should eliminate the hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies to the fossil fuel sector and reallocate these funds to clean energy production, sustainable agriculture and agriculture. research.

"We have to make sure people get the right stuff, and their behavior will change very quickly," he said.

Among other things, he said, the government could encourage farmers to use sustainable practices, such as crop rotation, and encourage supply chains from farm to table.

An important element of Mr. Yang's climate plan is a carbon tax – something that only a few presidential candidates have unequivocally approved. According to his plan, carbon dioxide would initially be taxed at $ 40 per tonne, and the price would eventually reach $ 100 per tonne. Half of the revenue would go to the proposed universal base income, and the other half would be invested in energy efficiency and clean energy development.

Yang also sought to link the fight against climate change directly to this universal basic income proposal, which is the centerpiece of his campaign.

"It's very difficult to focus on the next ten years if you're worried about next month's rent," he said, noting that the increased financial stability provided by a universal basic income would free Americans from the need to focus more on climate action. help former fossil fuel workers find a new job and give people in the most vulnerable areas the means to protect themselves.

"The trap the Democrats are in, is that we are told that moving to a green economy is bad for jobs and business, and that it could not be further from the truth." Yang said. "We can not fall into the false dichotomy that what is good for the economy is bad for the planet."