This week, scientists and global leaders prepare to travel to the upcoming United Nations Climate Action Summit, and inspiring young people around the world – including in Washington – prepare to strike to call for counteraction on the crisis. These hopeful signs are joined by another: a step toward policy change in the United States, as the New Democrat Coalition in Congress announced its climate principles today.
The New Democrat Coalition includes 103 members of Congress dedicated to bridging the partisan divide. The group is chaired by Washington state Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), with Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) on its leadership team.
The Coalition’s climate change policy priorities include an assertion that global action is required, that we must transition to a “climate-forward economy” to create high-quality jobs, and that investing in communities and resilience is essential to our shared future. The Coalition’s Climate Change Task Force underlines the need for a swift and just transition to a more sustainable economy.
Meaningful federal policy would make a big difference in the Pacific Northwest, said Washington state director Mike Stevens.
“In Washington state, citizens urgently want our leaders to address the climate crisis. Our state is already feeling the impacts – from growing wildfire risk, health impacts from carbon pollution, and flood damages in our neighborhoods,” he said. “We applaud the leadership of Representative Kilmer and the New Democrat Coalition as they put forward a policy agenda that will help keep Washingtonians safe and stabilize the climate while growing the economy and creating jobs.”
In addition to the leadership of Chair Kilmer and Vice Chair DelBene, four more Washingtonians are members of the New Democrat Coalition: Representatives Denny Heck (WA-10), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Kim Schrier (WA-08) and Adam Smith (WA-09). We’re proud of the strong climate leadership from our state’s delegation. We look forward to supporting their efforts to build durable, bipartisan legislative solutions to the climate crisis.
Dig deeper into the Coalition’s climate priorities on their website.
