An Economists Take on Climate Change and Carbon Tax

Born in Belleville, Illinois in 1932, Dr. Leroy “Roy” Snyder Wehrle grew up with nature and the environment being a big part of his family. With a rich history involving the economy, foreign and domestic policy, and climate activism, Dr. Leroy Wehrle provides valuable insight on how the economy and climate are linked. With this knowledge, he aims to educate and provide insight to allow others to seek, educate, and lead change for climate change. In 1972, he was awarded a Professorship in Economics at Sangamon State University, now the University of Illinois at Springfield, where he offered one of the first courses in the new field of sustainability and climate change. From 2000 until 2013, he also taught at Millikin University the lead international course in the Master of Business curriculum.   After graduating with Honors from Yale University in 1959, where he did his thesis under Professors James Tobin and Art Okun, Dr. Wehrle served as Economic Counsellor in the Loas Embassy and as Deputy Director of the AID (U.S. Agency for International Development). During 1961 and 1962 he served as Senior Economist on the Council of Economic Advisors for President Kennedy. During the Vietnam War, from 1964 to 1967, Dr. Wehrle served as Economic Counsellor to Ambassadors Henry Cabot Lodge, General Maxwell Taylor, and Ellsworth Bunker. He directed US policy to constrain inflation in the war-torn economy of South Vietnam. He was awarded the Jump Award in 1965 for best service of all officers in the State Dept. and again in 1966 for best service of all US government employees. After serving AID in Laos, Dr. Wehrle served for AID in Washington as Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Vietnam. Dr. Wehrle was an economic development advisor to Nelson Rockefeller on his advisory trip to South, Central, and Caribbean countries for President Nixon. After a term with Brookings Institute as Senior Economist, he was appointed Director of Social Policy Institute in the cabinet of Gov. Richard Ogilvie in Illinois.   In this episode, Dr. Roy discusses: Carbon Tax and Policy How the word is affected by policy decisions How we, as activists, can influence lawmakers How we can make a real impact on climate change   Additional Resources: Addressing Climate Change Using a Carbon Tax & Dividend Plan Within a Global Compact Volo - Bipartisan Climate Change Volo - Carbon Pricing Proposal for COP26 – Recommendations on a Climate Club and Carbon Surcharge Transfer Addressing Climate Change Using a Carbon Tax & Dividend Plan Within a Global Compact U.S. Climate Policy Driving Foreign Policy: Climate policy recommendations Employment Effects of the Energy Transition driven by the carbon dividend and tax plan (side study to the original National Energy Transition Plan)