Cap and trade is a market-based approach to pollution control that gives nations or companies an economic incentive to reduce their CO2 emissions. The government sets a cap on the amount of pollution that can be emitted, and then firms or countries are allocated “emissions permits” that can be bought and sold. 

     The bill suggests a Cap and Trade Progam, which uses the government to set a limit on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted in the United States. Companies and firms will then be alllowed to purchase and sell these permits, allowing a certain amount of gases emitted, such as carbon dioxide. Over time, the cap would decrease carbon emissions 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050. 

     Carbon Dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human actions, and accounts for 82% of air pollution emitted by human actions. Global warming is already in full throttle and we are currently experiencing the effects. However, if you directly attack the problem by limiting carbon emissions we can slow down the process. And we, the Students for Emissions Trading, believe this is part of the way to do that.