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Message from Jay Manning
Climate change poses a profound threat to Washington's and the world's environment. The potential adverse impacts are of a scale and magnitude that are beyond daunting. It is imperative that we take action now to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. I am proud that Washington has already done much to reduce our contribution of greenhouse gases, including passing legislation requiring cars and trucks, which are Washington's largest source of greenhouse gases, to meet stringent emission standards. We must also prepare ourselves for those impacts that are inevitable. Rising sea levels pose a very real threat to our coastal and Puget Sound communities. Loss of snowpack threatens water supply for people and agriculture and streamflows essential for salmon and other aquatic species. These are just two of the significant impacts of climate change that pose a very real risk to Washington. The good news is that there are actions we all can take to slow the effects of global warming. Reducing emissions, looking to alternate energy sources and focused human action will be a key to the solution. Every Washington resident can make a difference. There are also economic opportunities to be taken advantage of. We are already a leader in clean energy and biofuels and climate change presents a tremendous opportunity for economic growth and new jobs in those and other sectors. More messages from Jay and Juli
Passage of climate change law puts Washington in forefront
Taking on climate change — and growing Washington's green economy |
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
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