A Bipartisan Breakthrough on Climate Change?

Mother Earth got a significant shot of support with Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham publicly announcing his support for climate change legislation, in a joint editorial with Democratic Sen John Kerry.

“Our partnership represents a fresh attempt to find consensus that adheres to our core principles and leads to both a climate change solution and energy independence,” wrote the two Senators in the New York Times on Sunday. “It begins now, not months from now — with a road to 60 votes in the Senate.”

The New York Times opinion piece proposes:

• aggressive” reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

• additional oil and gas exploration, and funding for nuclear power and advanced coal technologies known as carbon capture and sequestration

• price restrictions on the cost of carbon allowances created by a new cap and trade system

• a border tax to protect domestic manufacturing from foreign competition

Read: Yes We Can (Pass Climate Change Legislation)