Climate change threatens us all. In the past decades, we’ve seen increased flooding, catastrophic wildfires, droughts, habitat destruction, salmon depletion, and other existential threats to our way of life in Washington. These are not abstract problems to be dealt with in a far-off future. We are seeing the damage of climate change right now in our communities.
The Quinault Indian Nation village of Taholah, a low-lying community near the Pacific Coast, has had to plan for complete relocation due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Last year, one of the worst wildfires in Washington history killed a man and destroyed nearly 200 structures in Spokane County. The largest wildfire in Washington history was in 2020. The second largest was in 2015. The third largest was in 2014. It doesn’t take a climate scientist to see the pattern.
We need to solve the problem at its source; that means curbing the unrestricted emission of carbon into our ecosystems. These emissions are the engine of climate change and reducing them is the only way to achieve sustainability once and for all.
When we passed the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) in 2021, we took advantage of our once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a better future. Already, more than $2 billion raised from the CCA is being directed towards building our next generation’s green economy. With these historic investments, we will make meaningful progress towards a sustainable, clean, and safe future.
With CCA revenue, we’re funding green transportation, clean energy, agricultural improvements, environmental justice, and more. The CCA is the central policy that will help us protect Washington from climate change. It funds our ability to mitigate the risks of climate change, improve our climate resiliency and undertake historic conservation and restoration efforts.
The future of Washington state is brighter with the CCA. We can’t afford inaction.
Town Hall
Do you have thoughts on fighting climate change or other policies being considered in the Legislature this year? Then you’re in luck! I’m excited to announce that I will be hosting a virtual town hall with my seatmate, Rep. Lauren Davis. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about what we’re working on this session, have your important questions answered, and share your thoughts about what we should be prioritizing to make your life better.
You can click here to sign up and send your questions in early!
Sincerely
