On Sunday, April 25, the Church and Society/Social Justice Committee hosted a Meaningful Movies at First Church community conversation (via Zoom) to hear how King County is addressing the climate crisis, learn about climate-related bills recently passed in Washington State, and to discuss the documentary 2040.
You can view a recording of this event here.
Guest speaker King County Executive Dow Constantine discussed the County’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by half by the end of this decade, preparing our region for climate change impacts, and supporting communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Executive Constantine called the climate crisis “the greatest threat humanity has ever faced,” and said it requires an unprecedented response. To that end, King County is listening to scientists, embracing innovation, developing partnerships, and leading by example. Several accomplishments under his leadership that Executive Constantine think effectively address the climate crisis include the expansion of the metropolitan transportation system and electrification of the bus system, as well as his three-million tree initiative, and steps taken to preserve farms and open spaces.
He also explained that King County has led by collaborating with cities and other local governments to share best practices, exchange ideas, and strengthen land use and building codes.
Attendees asked Executive Constantine about the footprint of the cruise industry, ways to educate the public about climate change, and how the County is addressing the impact of climate change on the homeless. Overall, the Executive said the most effective actions we can take are to educate the public and build support for good policies–including, most notably, fixing the state’s inequitable tax system.
The Executive’s answers to these and other questions can be heard in the event recording.
Jessica Zimmerle, Program and Outreach Director of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power and Light, summarized two climate-related bills recently passed in Washington State. Those bills are:
- the HEAL Act which will require state agencies to apply environmental justice principles and practices, and
- the Clean Cars 2030 bill which will end the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in Washington State and is the most ambitious gas car phase-out target in the U.S.
First Church is a member of Earth Ministry.
If you haven’t yet watched the film 2040, it addresses many of the issues mentioned in this community conversation, and can be streamed online.
Check out the resources below for more information about the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), King County programs related to climate change, and what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
- 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan
- Leading with equity in the 2020 SCAP
- Climate change initiatives and programs in King County
- King County Food Too Good to Waste: Tips on food purchases, food prep, and food storage
- Climate Change and Solid Waste and your stuff, climate change, and solid waste
Visit Earth Ministry to learn more about Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power and Light, and also read about its 2021 legislative priorities.
Visit https://meaningfulmovies.org/ to explore more from Meaningful Moves Project.