In considering carbon dioxide emissions, we need to take into account both carbon's effects on the economy and its impact on public health. Carbon is strongly linked to global warming, which is raising the sea level and very likely causing increasingly severe storms, thus threatening Virginia's coastal areas. Higher temperatures can also cause heat stroke and increase the formation of ground-level ozone, which aggravates heart and lung diseases.

And the effects of carbon emissions go beyond just Virginia. At a time when the federal government has become lax in its attitude towards the environment, it's more important than ever that Virginia step up and show that we can take responsibility—not only for our state or our country, but for the world. That's why I support reducing and capping carbon dioxide emissions.