Yes.

When I knocked on the doors of voters on every block in Seattle City Council’s District 4, they told me they want more accountability from their city government, and I continue to emphasize accountability in my campaign. While voters are typically referring to the need for a City Council that is more responsive to residents and gets better results on the other crisis of homelessness, I believe we also need more accountability to address climate change crisis for the survival of our planet and future generations.

As you all know, the climate crisis is the world-wide, existential threat of our time and city governments must do their part, especially in the absence of leadership from the White House and U.S. Senate. While most District 4 voters recognize that climate change is a global problem that a single city government or Councilmember cannot solve alone, Seattle and our region are in a unique position to take a leading role in key areas based on the concern of its people, the innovation of its companies, and the availability of clean energy.

In conferring with climate scientists, I believe there are two key issues: reducing carbon emissions to prevent warming and increasing resiliency to adapt. City government can contribute to both. I have put together and 18-point climate accountability plan. (Please see answer to question #3.)

Yes. Seattle needs to lead the way on countering global warming and reducing carbon emissions, and those efforts have to start with the City itself. We need to incorporate the goals of our climate initiative into the City’s business practices – fully electrifying our automotive fleet, bringing all city buildings up to the highest energy efficiency standards, and powering City infrastructure through 100% renewable energy. We need set an example for others to follow.

This is also one of the reasons I’m so passionate about public transit – vehicles account for over half of the city’s carbon emissions. The sooner we have a citywide network of connected bike lanes and bus lanes with reliable transit times, the more people will opt out of having a car.

Yes, the climate crisis is not some foreign problem to be solved by another community. It is the biggest existential crisis we face as a civilization, and every city needs to do its part. Especially as one of the few major American cities lacking a comprehensive grade- separated transit system, there is a lot we can do to mitigate our impact on global climate change.

I support the goals of the national Democratic Party’s Green New Deal (made famous by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “AOC”). My concerns with the expansive spinoff from the City Council is that it lacks focus, there was no meaningful engagement with the general public or impacted stakeholders, and it’s not clear how dozens of the City Council’s proposals would be funded. I’d rather focus support on the national Green New Deal while focusing our City Hall on expanding our city’s existing Climate Action Plan and making more progress on the important basics of city government, including expanding transit service, leveraging our local clean energy sources, and increasing climate resiliency. This includes working hard now to defeat Tim Eyman’s horrible Initiative 976 which would cripple our vital transit system.

I look forward to working with our Mayor, future City Council colleagues, and regional and state environmental agencies to address climate change in an expeditious and effective way that achieves actual results as we tackle other pressing challenges such as homelessness and public safety.

With an aim to be practical so we can achieve results, I have an 18-point accountability plan that I hope City Hall colleagues will consider as we attempt to focus on what we can achieve and as we await stronger leadership on climate change in the White House and U.S. Senate. (Please see answer to question #3.)

I fully support the tenets of the Green New Deal and in office, I will work hard every day to make Seattle more sustainable. Climate change is the defining issue of my generation – if we don’t put curbing our carbon emissions and building a carbon-neutral city at the center of our policymaking, nothing else will matter.

Seattle has a history of not following through on climate and environment plans. I will take action immediately to reduce carbon emissions, from electrifying the city to ensuring all new construction is held to the highest energy efficiency standards to pushing for greatly expanded and improved public transit.

For revenue, I will advocate for charging private companies a fee to use our bus- only lanes. I am also open to exploring a local carbon tax and a congestion tax, provided it is adjusted to account for equity concerns – we shouldn’t punish folks who are struggling to get by and work in the city or have to drive through the city because they can’t afford to live here.

I do support a Green New Deal, and look forward to parsing out the details of reaching the 2030 goal. Two of the big lifts we can do to get there is to expand the use of cross laminated timber (CLT) and increase public transportation options.

First, on CLT, we need to pass new legislation in-keeping with state guidelines allowing us to build up to 18 stories with CLT without a required concrete base. Current guidelines only allow up to 8 stories, and the first two have to be concrete. It is a little known fact that 14% of global CO2 comes from the processes used to create concrete and steel. As a major city experiencing a building boom, this is an area we can lead on. CLT is carbon neutral, and CLT buildings actually act as carbon banks, permanently sequestering carbon rather than emitting it. We should use more of it.

Second, on transportation, we need to expedite the expansion of grade separated alternatives to driving and renew the transportation benefit district (TBD). We need light rail now, not in 30 years. We need to make a generational commitment by fully funding ST3 and passing ST4 sooner rather than later. Potential future funding sources like progressive capital gains and income taxes need to be on the table, and as progressives we must fight for them.

Additionally, we need to renew the transportation benefit district which, over the past 6 years, has increased access to fast mass-transit from 25% to 66%. While the funding mechanism is a regressive mix of car tabs and sales tax, we cannot afford to lose the essential services the TBD provides. I will fight for a future with progressive income and capital gains taxes, but in the meantime we need to make due with the funding mechanisms we have.

Implement Mayor Jenny Durkan’s 20-page “Seattle Climate Action” report:

For Mayor Durkan’s April 2018 update, CLICK HERE.  For the original 90-page “Climate Action Plan” from 2013, CLICK HERE.

While we hear folks talk about our city government addressing climate change, it’s important first to consult these documents as a baseline to see what’s already been in the works. But we can do more…

Lead the world in leveraging technology that analyzes emissions data, confirms the best strategies, and tracks progress:

As a center of technology, Seattle can be a world leader by measuring which efforts are effectively reducing emissions and which are not. With the best data in the world on what works, we can hold our leaders and ourselves accountable, scale up what works best, and share emission-reduction solutions with other jurisdictions so that, together, we start ripple effects that reduce climate change.

Encourage more use of solar:

Our city government owns the electric utility, Seattle City Light, and it should encourage more people to use solar power. I support our Mayor’s efforts to expand electrification infrastructure for clean, zero-emission buses and cars.

Protect and Expand our Tree Canopy:

We must protect and expand our tree canopy / urban forest by publishing reliable data and preventing the removal of most trees prior to and during construction projects. Politicians often say they will plant more trees, but we must also recognize that large trees have the most positive impact in absorbing harmful carbon emissions. Yet another reason to strive to remain “The Emerald City.”

Convert City Fleets to Green Faster:

The city government should convert its fleet of vehicles to zero emission or low emission vehicles faster. City Hall should not expect residents and small businesses to change their transportation behaviors radically and rapidly if the city government and other large institutions are not leading by example. (There are 4,000 city vehicles. But, as of April 2018, only 200 electric and 300 hybrid vehicles.)

Get more people to ride Sound Transit’s light rail:

We must solve the “first and last mile” to transit by launching and measuring the success/failure of various, low-cost pilot projects to get more people to the light rail stations. This should include vastly improving several pedestrian paths to Husky Stadium station with better sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, and signage.

Support Supplemental Bus Service for Seattle Residents:

We should review, revise, and renew the special Seattle levy (approved by voters November 2014 as “Prop 1”) that funds supplemental bus service from King County Metro — as long as Metro & SDOT do a better job engaging riders to provide the bus service they actually want. For example, Metro should restore commuter bus lines cut since 2015 and maintain key bus lines such as the #70 that serves Eastlake & the U District. The $270 million city bus program is up for renewal in 2020.

Require Large institutions, large employers, and large developments to contribute to transit solutions, especially when asking the city government for special treatment such as variances to zoning laws:

In exchange for benefits provided by the public, these institutions should implement measures to transport their employees and/or residents in an effective manner so as to not overly burden existing transportation systems. For example, by providing shuttle services, building an extensive sidewalk network, and encouraging carpooling or telecommuting.

Expand the city’s “Commute Trip Reduction” program with large employers:

Bringing the business community to the table and respecting their knowledge, costs, and constraints, City Hall should explore incentives to expand the “Commute Trip Reduction” program which is currently required by our state government for sites with more than 100 employees.

Phase out gasoline-powered (two stroke) leaf blowers with a buy-back program: 

(quoted excerpts from the Roosevelt neighborhood newsletter, The Roosie): “According to the California Air Resources Board, 5 lbs of particulate matter per leaf blower per hour are swept into the air and it takes hours to settle.”  “California’s statewide Environmental Protection Agency estimates that an hour of leaf blower equals 1,000 miles driven in a 2015 Camry car.” “An air quality report from L.A. states by 2020, ozone producing emissions will be higher from lawn care equipment than from all cars in L.A.”  “Gas leaf blowers are identified as a source of harmful noise by the U.S. CDC, U.S. EPA, and the national landscape industry.” To address this, City Hall should explore a buy-back program to transition users away from gas-powered leaf blowers to electricity-powered leaf blowers.

Enable the Port of Seattle to use more clean energy:

City Hall and Seattle City Light should help our Port of Seattle greatly reduce emissions from planes, ships, and trucks, including the use of clean electricity instead of traditional fuel while docking.

Facilitate a “Just Transition” to a cleaner, green economy for today’s workers: As we shift rapidly to a cleaner, greener economy and create new clean energy jobs, we must ensure that today’s workers and their families are protected and benefit from training and other tools for a smooth transition.

Require a “Carbon Note” with each newly proposed ordinance and program:

(a concept borrowed from former D-4 candidate Cathy Tuttle): Similar to the Fiscal Notes currently required to explain the funding impact of proposals, Carbon Notes should be included with newly proposed City programs and laws so the public and policymakers can consider the carbon impact.  The challenge is that quantifying the funding impact is easier than quantifying the carbon impact without before and after measurements of carbon emissions. To avoid conjecture or inaccurate claims that could minimize the crisis of climate change, we should have climate scientists help to design the protocols city government staff could use for meaningful Carbon Notes.

Recognize that climate change knows no boundaries and demand greater accountability and action from regional organizations such as the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:

Both the Seattle Mayor and King County Executive serve on the board of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and they need to update their Strategic Plan to address new climate resiliency threats such as smoke from forest fires.  Local leaders should also support progress beyond our immediate geographic area if it can have a strong impact.  For a recent editorial about a new West Coast policy requiring automakers to increase fuel efficiency, CLICK HERE.  For a recent Op Ed co-authored by Governor Jay Inslee on statewide efforts titled “State-led climate goals — like Washington’s — will lead the way,” CLICK HERE.

Leverage the research and action plans for climate resiliency from science-based institutions such as University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group:

Governments at all levels in the Northwest, including our Puget Sound region, need to address systemic improvements to mitigate the harmful repercussions of climate change, including impacts to water supply and air quality with a focus on our most vulnerable communities (See the Climate Challenge Atlas complied by Futurewise in 2017 which overlays a social justice Equity Index with the geographic areas in Seattle most at risk of climate change impacts.)

Defeat Donald Trump! (“Dump Trump”):

President Trump’s policies have become the single worst thing for our environment. Seattle is jam-packed with people passionate about reducing climate change. To have the most impact, advocates should fan out to battleground, swing states in 2020 to help a Democrat become the next President.  Democrats with the boldest plans include our own Governor Jay Inslee whose “Climate Mission” leverages scientific studies to prevent the worst impacts of climate change and includes an “Evergreen Economy Plan” to create green jobs and infrastructure needed to address the problems before it’s too late. While the 43^rd’s environmental caucus members have done the real work of raising the profile of the climate crisis locally, I was inspired and took the small step of crafting a resolution unanimously approved by the 43rd District Democrats to encourage a presidential debate dedicated solely to climate change. For a copy, please CLICK HERE

Vote against Tim Eyman’s Initiative 976:

We should oppose Tim Eyman’s harmful proposal to reduce car tabs to a flat fee (Initiative 976) because flat fees are regressive and the low amount would dangerously gut Sound Transit. We want and need more people to ride light rail to maximize the public’s investment, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to keep people moving throughout our region. No on I-976. (For more on the importance of light rail — especially in our District 4, please see the section above about “Improving Transportation”.)

Preserve and expand affordable housing, especially near reliable mass transit:

Affordable housing within cities is an important part of the solution to address climate change. Within the city itself, planners should make sure density is focused where there is frequent and reliable transit. Because the best transit is often frequent bus service and the buses are owned/operated by King County instead of by the City of Seattle, City Hall needs to be both cautious about where it allows increased density and vigilant about getting transit service where and when we need it the most. For example, the growing number of residents in and near Magnuson Park / Sand Point need more frequent transit.  I supported the doubling of the Seattle Housing Levy and ideally those new low-income housing projects are located near mass transit, such as the project to be built above the Roosevelt Light Rail station (funded by Sound Transit 2).

The two most important things we can do, which we must do concurrently, are increase density and expand public transit and non-automotive transit options. Dense, transit-rich cities are more environmentally friendly cities. We need to build duplexes and triplexes throughout the city, and we need a connected network of bus lanes and protected bike lanes citywide – we can’t wait 16 years for light rail. We also need to ensure that affordable homes are included in this new, more dense Seattle, so everyone has access to the opportunities and amenities that make Seattle a great place to live.

See the above above grade-separated light rail and a renewal of the TBD. Until we have a comprehensive grade-separated alternative to driving we will never truly tackle single occupancy vehicle trips.

For fairness and equity, I believe local governments must first get their environmental houses in order:

   First, our city and county governments need to lead by example.  For example:

Convert City Fleets to Green Faster:

The city government should convert its fleet of vehicles to zero emission or low emission vehicles faster. City Hall should not expect residents and small businesses to change their transportation behaviors radically and rapidly if the city government and other large institutions are not leading by example. (There are 4,000 city vehicles. But, as of April 2018, only 200 electric and 300 hybrid vehicles.)

In addition to carbon reduction, our local governments will also have their hands full investing in climate resiliency.

2.   We also need larger institutions and corporations to be more environmentally friendly.  For example:

Enable the Port of Seattle to use more clean energy:

City Hall and Seattle City Light should help our Port of Seattle greatly reduce emissions from planes, ships, and trucks, including the use of clean electricity instead of traditional fuel while docking.

Expand the city’s “Commute Trip Reduction” program with large employers: Bringing the business community to the table and respecting their knowledge, costs, and constraints, City Hall should explore incentives to expand the “Commute Trip Reduction” program which is currently required by our state government for sites with more than 100 employees.

3. We need new construction projects to have environmentally friendly materials and systems in place so that, going forward, we are creating only environmentally sustainable structures.

4.   By starting with local government, large institutions, and the private market, we will have more credibility when asking for individual households to do much more. I believe we should focus on positive incentives for individual households instead of elected officials shaming our own residents or making their lives more difficult. For example, staying positive would include:

Getting more people to ride Sound Transit’s light rail:

We must solve the “first and last mile” to transit by launching and measuring the success/failure of various, low-cost pilot projects to get more people to the light rail stations. This should include vastly improving several pedestrian paths to Husky Stadium station with better sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, and signage.

Supporting Supplemental Bus Service for Seattle Residents:

We should review, revise, and renew the special Seattle levy(approved by voters November 2014 as “Prop 1”) that funds supplemental bus service from King County Metro — as long as Metro & SDOT do a better job engaging riders to provide the bus service they actually want. For example, Metro should restore commuter bus lines cut since 2015 and maintain key bus lines such as the #70 that serves Eastlake & the U District. The $270 million city bus program is up for renewal in 2020.