A first for Washington, locals advise lawmakers on climate change

Everyday people gathered for the first Washington Climate Assembly to learn about and decide which solutions to prioritize. Now, it’s lawmakers’ move.

by Mandy Godwin / Crosscut / April 16, 2021

Imagine a group of Washingtonians representing every perspective in the state, all on a Zoom call at the same time to decide how to end carbon pollution. Even the people who don't think climate change is happening, or don't think it's human-caused, are allowed to type their ideas into the chat. What happens? Shouting, name-calling, finger pointing?

That's the experiment the Washington Climate Assembly has been running for the past couple months — albeit on a micro scale, with 77 people representing the interests of 7.6 million. After some disagreement, a lot of conversation, and a marked absence of shouting, the assembly decided on 148 recommendations that they presented to the Washington State Legislature late last month. But deciding on the recommendations — which fit into categories like transportation, buildings and energy — was only the last step in a five-month-long process that was the first of its kind in the United States.

Read on: https://crosscut.com/environment/2021/04/first-washington-locals-advise-lawmakers-climate-change?