Get Out And Vote

Farm News

Who will make a difference in determining the future of our environmental policy? If we want to have any say in this question, we need to show up and vote! The Midterms matter when it comes to the environment, and here is why.
Unless we drastically change our global economic habits immediately, we could see massive food shortages, cataclysmic weather events, and rising sea levels by 2040, well within many of our lifetimes, not to mention the thousands of amazing species that would go into perilously low numbers, such as the coral in the oceans, the salmon here locally, and the orcas that rely on them. We believe strongly humans have played a large part in this demise, and it is our duty to try and help make it better.
Washington’s environmental initiative 1631 would introduce a carbon tax through a vote, the first state ever to make this progressive move. As laid out in the voter pamphlet, the “pollution fee would apply to fossil fuels sold or used within this state and electricity generated within or imported into this state. Fossil fuels include motor vehicle fuel and other petroleum products intended for combustion, natural gas, coal, coke any other form of fuel created from these products.” So yes this measure would impose a pollution fee on large emitters of greenhouse gases. The money raised would have a public oversight board to implement and approve funding for programs and projects to reach the goal of 50% 1990 levels by 2050.
Beginning January 2020, the pollution fee is set at $15 per metric ton of carbon content, increasing $2 per metric ton each year until the goal is achieved. It is supported by Washington Governor Jay Inslee, many local and national nonprofit organizations, health care organizations like the American Lung Association and numerous businesses ranging from solar energy to salmon safe. It is a great start to using revenue to reduce pollution, promote clean energy and start combatting some of the larger issues surrounding the climate crisis. Get out and vote and make a difference!
Don’t forget to find us on Instagram (@fullcirclefarms).

-Wendy