Let's take the lead on clean energy

China is subsidizing jobs in clean energy for environmental and economic reasons. So should we.

According to this AP story, http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/nov/09/texas-seeks-61-billion-to-future-proof-before-next-great-storm/, Houston has had three 500-year-floods in three years.

Texas experienced $180 billion in damages from Hurricane Harvey, and is seeking $61 billion from Congress for infrastructure improvements in preparation for the next storm.

For 20 years, scientists have said that excessive greenhouse gas emissions are likely to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

In order to subsidize jobs in clean energy, we need to tax pollution.

A coalition of labor, social justice, and environmental groups in Washington is planning to place a measure on the ballot next year to do that. We need a thousand volunteers to collect signatures.

We also need local action. I urge the city councils in Thurston County to adopt the aspirational goal of replacing all fossil fuels, as much as possible, with renewable energy by 2050, like Portland.

The sooner we transition away from fossil fuels, the better off our children will be. Get in touch. crVanWash@gmail.com

This story was originally published December 7, 2017 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Let's take the lead on clean energy."