Asking people to vote to increase the cost of a gallon of gas is a hard sell.

But members of the Whidbey Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby are going door to door, making a case to their neighbors. They are part of a grassroots effort in support of Initiative 1631, which will be on the November ballot.

It’s a message that’s worth listening to.

Instead of a cap-and-trade approach to carbon emissions, the initiative offers a simpler, cleaner way of reducing greenhouse gases. It would charge “dirty energy” companies $15 for each ton of carbon they are responsible for releasing into the atmosphere. The fee would increase over the years.

Money raised would go toward efforts to reduce the state’s carbon footprint, prepare for the impacts of climate change and help communities most impacted by climate change.

It would increase gasoline prices by an estimated 10 to 14 cents a gallon. That’s a couple extra dollars at the pump for the average person with the average car.

While initiative proponents are up against Big Oil with deep pockets and influence, they might have a shot at getting it passed this year.

The economy is good, so people may be willing to spend a little extra on gas.

Initiative supporters were able to get many more signatures than was required or expected this year. They were hoping to get 1,000 or so on Whidbey Island, for example, but got three times that.

Wildfire smoke that shuttered an entire region of the country is still on people’s minds, as are hurricanes, typhoons and floods. They are very vivid examples of the impact climate change can have on our lives. These things will only get worse as the planet warms.

The initiative has a wide range of support. A long list of business groups, environmental groups, unions, low-income advocates, communities of color organizations, health professionals and faith groups have endorsed I-1631.

The initiative has the support of a groundswell of citizens who see fighting against climate change as the most important thing they can do for the planet, for children and for future generations. They want Washington to be a leader in efforts to curb carbon emissions and hope that passage of the initiative would encourage similar efforts in other states.

So if they knock on your door, listen to what they have to say, ask questions, read the literature. Maybe offer them coffee or hard candy.

And then vote.