Governor Jay Inslee from the state of Washington will kick off the 2018 GoGreen Conference with an Opening Keynote Address, speaking to the imperative of local and state governments in the fight against climate change.
Here is a preview of what we can expect:
There has been a lack of climate action on a federal level with the current administration. As Governor of Washington, you’ve been an outspoken advocate for environmental progress and climate commitment.
Why do you feel it is an imperative to act on climate change without the support of the federal government?
Our region has a long history of environmental leadership. If the federal government fails to take action, it is imperative that the states step up and act. We cannot stand idly by while the federal government does nothing, or worse puts policies in place that have a harmful and long lasting effects.
When the Trump Administration announced its intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, it was crucial to deliver the message to the world that the U.S. was still in for the fight against climate change. We must have a wide collection of U.S. voices stand in as the collective, representative voice of U.S. action on climate.
Washington state has been working with California, Oregon and British Columbia for a decade through the Pacific Coast Collaborative to ensure a united front in the fight against climate change. Last year, I joined forces with California Gov. Jerry Brown and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to launch the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states dedicated to the goals of the Paris Agreement, which is now 17 governors strong.
The Climate Alliance is committed to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent from 2005 levels and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan. With input from all participants, the U.S. Climate Alliance will also act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy.
Together, the states are leading the way toward a more sustainable future for us all.
Register to join us April 4 at the GoGreen Conference! Tickets available at the door, or visit gogreenconference.net/registration.
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