Action is urgently needed to halt the increase in carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. Climate scientists believe the Earth is at serious risk of passing a “tipping point” that could lead to irreversible global warming.
Cities collectively emit more than two-thirds of global greenhouse gases. Without the best efforts of Seattle and other cities, future generations will face disaster.
As we learned through 2021’s deadly heat dome and repeated wildfire smoke episodes, Seattle residents are increasingly threatened by the effects of climate change.
Homeless neighbors and low-income residents are at greatest risk, often living in “heat islands” without the cooling benefits of air conditioning or adequate trees.
Unfortunately, the City of Seattle is not on track to achieve its goals of reducing total core greenhouse gas emissions by 58% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Efforts by Seattle and its municipal partners are improving public transportation, installing electric vehicle chargers, electrifying city buildings, and removing fossil gas heating from large commercial buildings. These efforts are a start, but fall far short of the scope and urgency needed to achieve the city’s goals.
There is no city plan that clearly defines when and how Seattle will meet its climate goals, how progress will be measured, and how citizens can ensure accountability from government leaders. .
We are particularly concerned that there is no indication that the new City Council members intend to make climate action a priority. We understand the importance of other pressing issues, but to ignore climate change is to ignore the future of our children and grandchildren.
What can you do now? The City Council and Mayor Bruce Harrell must:
・Reaffirm the city’s commitment to early phased reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
∙ Describe when and how the City plans to implement climate change measures and meet climate goals.
∙ Establish a timeline for climate action and track progress. Are we on track? If not, why aren’t we?
∙ Monitor key metrics to provide meaningful data on overall emissions reductions.
∙ Prioritize the ability of vulnerable communities to survive in the face of worsening climate conditions.
∙ Put climate change at the forefront of comprehensive planning, transportation planning, transportation taxes, and the 2024-25 budget. Once adopted by the City Council this year, these plans will determine whether future development patterns and transportation spending support the city’s climate goals.
Avoid raiding the Green New Deal portion of the Jumpstart payroll tax, the only dedicated funding source, to plug holes in the city’s budget. The fund, about one-fifth the size of Portland’s Clean Energy Fund, is building climate recovery hubs to replace dirty heavy oil reactors and provide shelter and resources during extreme weather events.
Thousands of Seattle residents have made big changes to their homes and transportation, but they can’t solve the problem on their own. City councils and mayors have a responsibility to strengthen these efforts. Without taking these or similar bold steps, we are certain that we will not achieve our goals. The measures they put in place today, or fail to put in place, will shape the lives of future generations.
