I will be voting for I-1631, which will “charge pollution fees on sources of greenhouse gas pollutants, and use the revenue to reduce pollution, promote clean energy, and address climate impacts.”

Our climate is changing, with record temperature increases, more intense storms and forest fires, ice sheet melting and rising seas. The concentration of CO2, the main heat-trapping (greenhouse) gas in the atmosphere is increasing rapidly. In fact, it is 45 percent higher than it was at the start of the industrial revolution! And most of that CO2 has come from combustion of fossil fuels.

There is no doubt that climate change will accelerate as the CO2 and other greenhouse gases build up and the oceans warm, global circulation patterns could be affected and irreversible tipping points reached.

Experts tell us that an alternate future powered by renewable energy is possible. For this to happen most fossil fuel facilities will need to be phased out, leaving the bulk of fuel reserves in the ground.

Oil companies are spending a record amount to defeat the initiative. It is past time to move forward. I-1631 will be a strong step towards a sustainable future for Washington, and will help build a national political will for pricing carbon.

Dave Russell

Kirkland