I am thrilled to hear about Washington’s Climate Commitment Act working to improve the health of people in the Pacific Northwest. Washington’s initiative to assess air pollution in the most highly affected counties was highlighted in the recent article “New state report: Wildfire smoke increased death rate in Spokane, across Washington” (The Columbian, Dec. 31). The article thoroughly depicts the issue of wildfire air pollution that creates shorter lifespans and chronic health conditions.
The article also mentions how the Climate Commitment Act is intended to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Emissions directly increase air pollution, and higher levels of wildfire smoke from a hotter and drier climate make it even worse. In addition to improving current quality of life, we need to reduce fossil fuels for the long term.
Federally, we need legislation to put a fee on carbon pollution and give the money collected from fossil fuel companies to affected Americans via “carbon cash back” payments. I encourage our Washington Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to support putting a price on carbon.
