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?