by Jamie Stroble, Climate Director for The Nature Conservancy in Washington
Jamie Stroble planting trees at Ellsworth Preserve.
Our region has seen many changes in the last decade, and we have collectively experienced many challenges over the last several years with the COVID-19 pandemic and continued racial injustices. We have experienced significant growth in our communities, and there have been consistent efforts to become more sustainable even as the climate crisis has worsened. Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on these connections between community and the surrounding environment, celebrate progress toward a better world, and look ahead to ensure a healthy future for people and nature.
In Washington, it may seem we are immune to climate change since we do not experience the severe hurricanes or extreme weather that other parts of the country and world experience, however we have begun to see regular reminders that we too are impacted. We have seen everyone, not just those with asthma and respiratory illness, struggle with the rise of a wildfire smoke “season” as climate change has fueled summer drought across our forests and grasslands. King Tides intensified by severe winter storms have fueled flooding and the loss of homes in South Park, and impacted coastal communities. Extreme heat has damaged cherry and crop harvests, and risked the health of the farm workers. There’s no denying that climate change is impacting all of us, while exacerbating disparities.
Increasing heatwaves devastate crops and risk the health of farm workers across Washington. Credit: Cameron Karsten/TNC
Some environmental advocates might say that this is even more reason to double down on climate mitigation—addressing the root cause of climate change—by reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much, and as quickly as possible. This is of course extremely important; we need to be investing in the infrastructure and systems that enable us to become more sustainable and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and the sooner, the better. At the same time, we can no longer afford to woefully under-invest in climate adaptation and resilience, to prepare communities and ecosystems for current and projected climate impacts and recovery.
Climate mitigation can take many forms such as replacing greenhouse gas-emitting energy with renewable energy. Credit: Cameron Karsten/TNC
Confronted with the realities of climate change and the scale of the challenge, we are often presented with false dichotomies and choices—common narratives suggest that investing in climate adaptation means we have given up on mitigation, or that prioritizing equity and community input means we cannot act with necessary urgency. Not true. Climate change is a complex problem with no singular solution, and these false choices hinder progress, and only serve to under-prepare us for the challenges ahead.
Successful climate action requires we address both climate adaptation and mitigation simultaneously, and that we act both quickly and equitably. We urgently need to prioritize climate adaptation and building community resilience with the same sense of resolve and willingness to invest resources as we do with climate mitigation.
Coastal and Puget Sound communities are experiencing the impacts of King Tides being compounded by severe, climate-driven storms, resulting in flooding and damage. Credit: Hannah Letinich/TNC
This year we’ve seen progress with legislators taking climate resilience as a serious priority. One big success was the passage of HB 1181, a long-awaited update to Washington’s Growth Management Act, requiring local jurisdictions to incorporate climate change in comprehensive planning, accounting for climate impacts and reduction of greenhouse gas and vehicle pollution, while also planning for climate impacts and prioritizing community and ecosystem resilience. Investments in climate resilience are also being considered a priority for Climate Commitment Act revenue, including support for air quality improvements and flood risk reduction.
The Nature Conservancy is thrilled to see how climate resilience is being built into climate action across Washington and to see communities leading the way for a more resilient future. There is still a lot of work ahead, but there are more and more people, especially young people, interested in supporting climate action that centers equity, resilience and shared leadership—a sign of hope for Earth Day and for our collective futures.
Featured photo: Forest alongside Dabob Bay in Washington. Credit: Keith Lazelle
