Last month, we heard more disappointing climate news in from the World Meteorological Organization (wmo.int).

“At the half-time point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to tackle hunger, poverty and ill-health, improve access to clean water and energy and many other aspects of sustainable development.

Only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track, says the United in Science report, which makes a systematic examination of the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the goals. It illustrates how weather, climate and water-related sciences can advance aims such as food and water security, clean energy, better health, sustainable oceans and resilient cities.”

International - Also last month the first(!) African Climate Summit met and issued the Nairobi Declaration. The leaders expressed concern that many African countries face disproportionate burdens and risks from climate change-related, unpredictable weather events and patterns. The impacts have included prolonged droughts, devastating floods, wild and forest fires, which cause massive humanitarian crisis with detrimental impacts on economies, health, education, peace and security, among other risks, the leaders said, acknowledging that climate change is the single greatest challenge facing humanity and the single biggest threat to all life on earth.

The Declaration will be the basis for Africa’s common position in COP 28 and beyond, and included a call for a [global] carbon taxation regime.

Speaking of COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference will start next month. Al Gore has directly called out the blatant conflict of interest that COP28 is being led by the head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, and echoing this message is critical to get oil interests out of co-opting future COP conferences.

Finally, as discussed in the last King County Chapter meeting, EU launches first phase of world's first carbon border tariff (CBAM), where unless the US and other counties come up with their own carbon pricing, we will be paying directly starting in 2026. Interesting factoid: “By the beginning of 2023, 23% of global emissions were covered by a carbon price, up from just 5% in 2010”

National

Despite the recent chaos in the House of Representees, there is currently some bi-partisan interest and discussion around Permitting Reform. Even with the epic incentives for solar and wind as part of the IRA, the current permitting process can drag out electrification projects longer (more than a decade!) than we have time to wait.

Click here to watch the Climate Reality King County hosted quarterly presentation on CCL’s Fee & Dividend & the bipartisan PROVE IT act.

In a nutshell, while there is a current strong focus on much needed permitting reform (BIG WIRES act), this still doesn’t get the US to the needed 50% reduction by 2030 that a price on carbon could accomplish along with continued reductions well beyond 2030. This critical benchmark of ending our collective oil addiction to oil is fundamental to accelerating action to address the Climate Crisis. This along with massive benefits to health, social equity (“Carbon Cash Back!”), and the economy make a price on carbon very attractive. And, with the EU’s Carbon Border Tariff on the way in 2026, there is more reason to start planning for a price on carbon (in whatever form) in the US.

Local

Seattle Department of Transportation has written a draft Transportation Plan for the next 20 years, and it doesn’t do enough to protect the climate! Today’s the day to tell them that it needs to be stronger, to transform our neighborhoods into safe places we can get around safely, in climate-friendly ways.

Transportation accounts for over 60% of Seattle’s climate emissions. This is important! This action is led by Seattle Neighborhood Greenways.

A few more comments….

• Interested in being part of Climate Reality King County Leadership? More info in the next newsletter or email [email protected].

• LOCAL: Still more to come on advocacy around working towards Community Solar in WA, and expanding Net Metering, which is critical to continue expanding Solar in WA.

• Did you know that Climate Reality King County has a KIVA Microloan group, with over $30,000 in team loans already made?! Click here to join the team and make “Eco-friendly” loans (e.g. Solar).

• Newsletter Contact: Michael Truog (Chair), [email protected]