Letter to the Editor: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

To the Editor:

Recently I have felt obligated to speak out about the most pressing issue of our time, climate change. Hardly a day goes by that I do not read news about the world’s changing climate. Here in the Northwest we’ve seen longer summer droughts and forest fires. We are living in a time of unprecedented global warming which can no longer be denied.

Climate scientists have warned the world for 30 years that every one of us will experience the harmful effects of climate change in our lifetime. Future generations will pay the price for our inability to make the major changes necessary to limit greenhouse gases. The most recent scientific consensus is that the world must limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C. above pre-industrial levels to avoid the most devastating effects to our health, livelihoods and environment.

Our city is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from both City operations and community activities. The City set emission reduction targets earlier this decade, based on the best science at the time, with a goal to limit global warming to 2 degrees C. These targets are incorporated into the Shoreline Comprehensive Plan. 

This is the 20-year defining document of Shoreline’s future vision, goals and community values. The Plan provides a basis for the City’s regulations and guides future decision-making. Any resident of Shoreline is entitled to propose an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. I decided last December to take advantage of this right and I submitted an amendment which would add language to the Natural Environment section to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 1.5 degrees C. above pre-industrial levels. On Monday, 4/15/19, at 7:00 pm the City Council will decide if this amendment will be added to the list for study this year. Will you join me?

Lee Keim
Shoreline