Yesterday, Representatives Waxman and Markey released the first comprehensive climate change bill [pdf] of the new administration.  Already, of course, based on quick reads of the 600 or so pages, there is praise and condemnation from all quarters.  With the introduction of the bill, we’ve moved from talking – albeit much more seriously than in years past – about climate change legislation to actually beginning the sausage making process of getting something passed and enacted.  It’s not going to be pretty.

The truth is, despite the rhetoric, there is much middle ground.  As always, the struggle in Washington is finding it, and hoping that once found, holding it doesn’t eviscerate that which you’re trying to accomplish.   The bigger problem, frankly, is outside of Washington.

For the first time in 25 years, Americans are willing to trade away environmental health and protection for economic stability and growth.  This finding, from Gallop’s most recent look at the issue, raises the spectre of real popular animosity towards any legislation that hits the wallet or pocketbook noticeably.  In a representative democracy, this is what’s known commonly as a wrench in the works.

The economics of reducing carbon emissions to a level that actually makes any difference, as Dan demonstrated back in January, don’t look much at all like what we’re hearing or seeing at this stage in the debate.  The real danger from the perspective of those concerned about a measurable reduction in emissions is that the unrelenting glare from the economic crisis will allow only the most watered-down version of a law to pass.  Perhaps better than nothing, but maybe not: if that legislation impairs industry from competing successfully in the global markets, and at the same time, doesn’t really address the problem the legislation set out to correct, then we will have done harm.

Waxman-Markey have begun this most recent of our national conversations.  Everyday citizens will have the final say.  In between is where understanding has to happen and the argument shaped.