This fall, Washington state will vote on a measure to put a price on carbon pollution鈥攖he first of its kind in the United States. It鈥檚 called Initiative 732, and it's designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions driving global warming.
鈥淲e know climate change is the number one threat to birds,鈥 says Gail Gatton, executive director of 探花精选 Washington. 鈥淗ere in Washington, we have an opportunity to do something about it.鈥
is a carbon tax, which discourages the use of fossil fuels by making them slightly more expensive鈥攁 move that should generate less carbon dioxide and speed up the transition to clean energy. The tax starts at $15 per ton of carbon pollution (the amount produced by burning around 100 gallons of gasoline) and gradually increases over time to $100 per ton. That translates to around 15 cents added to each gallon of pump gasoline and about $8 to the average monthly household electric bill in the first year鈥攎oney companies and individuals will see returned to them through cuts in other taxes. (.)
I-732 has bipartisan support and, if it passes, could push Washington past its 2050 goal of emitting half the carbon dioxide it did in 1990. In an interview, Gatton explained how 探花精选 Washington decided to get behind the measure and why she believes it鈥檚 so important.
探花精选: Why should Washingtonians vote 鈥測es鈥 on I-732?
Gail Gatton: 探花精选 science shows that , including at risk here in Washington. The best way to fight climate change is from two sides鈥攚e need to conserve the places on the ground that birds depend on, and we also need to prevent additional climate change by cutting carbon pollution.
A tax on carbon is an effective way to reduce emissions. This initiative won鈥檛 complete all the work that needs to be done on climate change, but I-732 is an important step forward. Putting a price on carbon pollution will help increase renewable energy use and cut our state鈥檚 emissions, which is good for people and birds.
A: How will the funds from the carbon tax be used?
GG: I-732 cuts our state sales tax by 1 percent. In that way, most people won鈥檛 see their taxes increase; instead they鈥檒l experience a tax swap. It also funds a tax rebate to provide up to $1,500 a year to low-income working families and eliminates the Business and Occupation tax for manufacturers. This will return the vast majority of the fees to the pockets of Washington businesses and families, while still keeping the measure .
Even though the carbon tax includes rebates, some people wish that revenues from the tax directly funded initiatives to help people disproportionately affected by climate change, like low-income families and communities of color. In our opinion, one of the best things we can do to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is to reduce carbon pollution as quickly as possible. Protecting clean air, water, and habitats that allow birds to thrive means that people can thrive in a healthy environment, too. And that鈥檚 what I hope Washington voters will keep in mind when they fill out their ballots this fall.
A: How do we know this approach will work?
GG: We鈥檝e seen a carbon tax work for our neighbors just to the north of us. British Columbia , and since then they鈥檝e seen their carbon pollution drop while their economy has done better than other parts of the country. Mexico, Japan, Chile, South Africa, and more than a dozen European countries have also put a price on carbon pollution.
A: Why did 探花精选 Washington decide to support this policy?
GG: I started the process certain that I-732 wasn鈥檛 good enough. But the thoughtful comments of 探花精选 Washington members from 25 chapters鈥攇athered through surveys and meetings over the course of more than a year鈥攃onvinced me otherwise. People who care about birds really understand the urgency of the situation. Over and over, we heard: 鈥淲e must do something now about climate change.鈥 This urgency led me to embrace the opportunity offered by I-732: vote to put a price on carbon pollution and take action now that will benefit birds and people.
Editor鈥檚 Note: A carbon tax is one way to cut carbon pollution. The 探花精选 supports serious efforts鈥攁t the local, state and national level鈥攖o cut carbon pollution in time to keep global warming in check to protect birds.