The New York Times reported earlier this week, "The worsening of tidal flooding in American coastal communities is largely a consequence of greenhouse gases from human activity, and the problem will grow far worse in coming decades" (according to scientists).

The report was just the latest from the scientific community that indicates the Earth's temperatures are going up and so are ocean levels.

However, climate change is one of the most hotly debated issues politically in the U.S.

President Obama has outlined a series of taxes and limits on carbon emissions.

Most conservatives oppose the president's proposal saying it will cripple the country economically.

Self-described libertarian Jerry Taylor, president of the Niskanen Center isn't one of them. Taylor has written and speaks on The Conservative Case for a Carbon Tax. In fact, he'll speak Thursday afternoon at Widener Law Commonwealth.

Taylor's carbon tax plans are different than President Obama's as he'll tell us on Thursday's Smart Talk.

Also joining us is John Dernbach, a Distinguished Professor and the Director of the Environmental Law and Sustainability Center at Widener Law Commonwealth.