Despite I-1631 vote, Washingtonians still demand action on climate
There is mounting evidence that a growing majority of Americans are concerned about climate change and support climate action. While Initiative 1631 failed to attract majority support, that does not change the fact that Yale University’s extensive research shows 70 percent of Washington voters believe global warming is happening and would support regulations on carbon emissions. Voters are demanding a solution, even if they didn’t accept this one.
I-1631 deserves praise for attracting a broad coalition of support, including from Carbon Washington. Yet the policy failed to attract bipartisan support and contained elements that caused concern, as we highlighted in our analysis of the proposal. Opponents argued a better policy was needed.
The opponents must now stand by their word in calling for a better proposal. We invite supporters and opponents of 1631 to join us in working on proposals that reduce carbon and promise a prosperous, healthy future. Carbon Washington will continue to advocate for solutions that can bridge our deep partisan divides, not enlarge them, and that are effective, equitable, and economically sound. But we cannot do this work alone. We urge everyone, Republicans and Democrats, energy companies and community activists, opponents and proponents of 1631, to join us in the spirit of compromise to fulfill our sacred duty to protect our kids and common home.
We have a moral responsibility to focus on carbon reduction now to protect our children and future generations by leaving them a cleaner, healthier, safer world. Carbon Washington is dedicated to helping move Washington state toward zero carbon emissions. We will pursue legislative and initiative policies until we achieve this mission.
About Carbon WashingtonCarbon Washington is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change. The organization works with concerned citizens and lawmakers from all partisan backgrounds. In 2016, the group developed Initiative 732 as a revenue-neutral approach to taxing carbon pollution while encouraging economic growth for families and businesses. To get involved and learn more about Carbon Washington’s initiative campaigns, legislative campaigns, policy research and other efforts to educate the public about climate change, visit carbonwa.org.Media ContactSamara Villasenorcommunications@carbonwa.org206-478-5643