Pushing forward as a national leader to confront climate change
At the same time the White House is trying to systematically reverse the progress the world has made to confront climate change, I had the opportunity to honor those who are helping push our region -- and the rest of the country -- forward.
Hosting the 2017 King County Green Globe Awards ceremony, I recognized people and organizations that reflect our region’s strong commitment to protecting our natural environment. Here are just a few of the inspiring accomplishments by Green Globe recipients:
- The Lummi Nation led a broad coalition of Tribes, environmental groups, and local governments to successfully oppose the construction of what would have been the largest coal export terminal ever built in North America.
- Puget Sound Energy now generates enough wind energy to meet the electricity needs of nearly 200,000 homes.
- King County Housing Authority is transforming the way neighborhoods are developed, renovated and maintained to reduce carbon emissions.
As a local government, King County is bringing together cities, businesses and nonprofits to coordinate our efforts to maximize our combined impact.
- We are leading a coalition of 13 cities – representing more than 1.5 million residents – to enhance our shared effort to confront climate change and create sustainable communities.
- We are moving forward with our Strategic Climate Action Plan that the co-founder of Earth Day called “the best” he’s seen.
- We are the largest municipal customer to purchase renewable wind power through Puget Sound Energy’s new Green Direct program.
- We have ordered 120 more battery-powered buses and are working with partners to plant 1 million trees throughout King County.
- We are delivering on ambitious goals, including one I set during my 2014 State of the County address. King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks met my goal to be carbon neutral a year ahead of schedule, a remarkable achievement by one of our biggest agencies.
In the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, our region is headed in the right direction and providing hope for the future. When our nation emerges from this period of fear, denial and regression – and, rest assured, we will – our region will be positioned as a global leader in sustainability and clean energy.
Thank you, as always, for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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