Passage of climate change law puts Washington in forefront

March 13, 2008
by Jay Manning

In a winter like this one, it's easy to take our mountain snowfields and glaciers, our rivers and full reservoirs, for granted. But that would be folly. Washington, and the rest of the world, is warming at an alarming and unnatural rate. This is caused, primarily, by emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels — oil, gas, coal — that create a greenhouse effect within Earth's atmosphere.

If today's generation fails to meet the challenge of climate change, our failure will profoundly harm Washington's economy and environment. However, I am thrilled to report that here in Washington, we have risen to the challenge, and in fact, our state is leading the way.

Before I say more about that, let me give you an idea of why Washington's quality of life matters so much to me.

Why it matters

Growing up in Washington state, my brothers and I came to realize there were certain things we could count on.

In winter, it would rain, a lot. On the east side of the state it would be cold and snowy, and the mountains would pile up with snow.

And in the glorious summers that kids live for, those melting snows would keep our rivers flowing in the driest weeks of the year. That was good for salmon, for farmers, for communities dependent on mountain reservoirs, and for generating the hydroelectricity that powered our state.

The unique and wonderful environment of the Pacific Northwest prompted my great-grandparents to settle here after immigrating from Norway. It was a huge part of my upbringing, and I feel lucky to have raised my family here.

Now, we are facing a new, global problem. Scientists from around the globe have concluded, based on facts, not conjecture, that lifestyles and livelihoods here and around the world are at risk because of greenhouse gases and changing climate patterns.

For example, during the past half century, the average mountain snow pack in the western U.S. has decreased at nearly three-quarters of the many sites studied. Stream flows are peaking earlier in the year throughout Washington, including the Columbia Basin. This means streams are lower when we need the water most. More than 50 glaciers (nature's near-perfect water storage) have disappeared from our North Cascades in a half century.

Almost 25 years ago, I hiked across the Spider Glacier southeast of Glacier Peak. It now exists only in memory and photographs.

This is one of the reasons I am proud that my state is taking the reality of climate change seriously and leading the nation in meeting the challenge. We will reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases; we will prepare for the changes that cannot be prevented; and we will become the center of a new "green economy."

Climate change law approved

Washington's Legislature recently passed legislation requested by Gov. Gregoire, supported by business and environmental communities, that lays the groundwork for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, tripling the number of well-paying clean-energy jobs in Washington, and reducing our dependence on foreign fuels.

Throughout this year, Community, Trade and Economic Development Director Juli Wilkerson and I will be working hard to carry out the mandates in this legislation.

Washington's aggressive response to climate change will enhance our well-earned reputation as a clean, green and competitive state – a great place to live and work, a great place to do business, and a great place for our children and grandchildren. Including future generations of the Manning family.

Find out more about Washington's response to climate change: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm

Find out more about clean, green, competitive Washington: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0701039.pdf

— Jay