Our Mission for Climate & Health
We work in Washington State to bring attention to the climate crisis as one of the greatest threats to human survival, and thus, human health. WPSR serves as a resource for other health professionals and climate activists, and we are working to convene and support a strong voice for climate action in the healthcare community.
Specifically, WPSR is working to:
Support a rapid and responsible transition away from fossil fuels towards 100% renewable energy
Engage the healthcare community to act on climate
Communicate the health risks of the climate crisis and the benefits of taking action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
WPSR recognizes that climate change will disproportionately impact historically disadvantaged communities. We strive to support and work in solidarity with low-income communities, communities of color, and tribal nations disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.
2023 Policy Priorities
Climate Resiliency Priorities:
We recognize that climate adaptation is an important partner in our fight for climate change mitigation in the face of hotter summers, more extreme storms, and the worsening impacts of climate change on our communities. That’s why this session WPSR is supporting bills to increase our resilience and adaptation to climate change.
HB 1329/ SB 5366, concerning preventing utility shutoffs during extreme heat, is an important step towards protecting the health of Washingtonians during hotter summers. While we are supportive of the direction that this bill is heading for climate & health, we think it can do more by considering heat impacts such as humidity, heat islands, and medical conditions. Furthermore, we urge the legislature to lower the temperature threshold that is needed for utility reconnection to 80 degrees to truly protect the health and safety of our communities during extreme heat events that are becoming increasingly more frequent.
We are also in support of HB 1012, concerning funding for extreme weather response. As extreme heat and cold become more frequent in a changing and volatile climate, community response is necessary to increase our resiliency against climate disasters. We would like to see this bill expanded to include other types of extreme weather, such as the flooding events that took place in the South Park community in the winter of 2022/2023.
Electrifying the Building Sector:
This legislative session, WPSR is building on our success to bring healthier, happier homes to Washington State through thoughtful policy solutions and funding for clean energy technologies. HB 1391, concerning energy in buildings, is an important step towards helping Washington families to learn about and access the clean buildings technology they need to have healthier spaces to work, live, and play.
In addition to supporting this bill, WPSR is standing behind budget proposals to increase funding for the Weatherization Plus Health program, as well as funding for high-efficiency heating and cooling.
Amending the Growth Management Act:
Smart growth is essential to curb the climate crisis. HB 1181/SB 5203 would require climate change planning and targets in new land-use proposals, and WPSR stands firmly behind this bill and the goals it will achieve. Environmental justice and equity remains an important piece of addressing climate response to WPSR and the broader climate movement. That is why we also support HB 1723/ SB 5651, which concerns environmental justice in the GMA.
Investing in clean transportation
The transportation sector remains the largest source of carbon emissions in Washington. To tackle these emissions we will need to build on our success by turning our attention towards decarbonizing heavy polluters (trucks, vans, planes, etc.), as well as addressing traffic safety to support the ability of Washingtonians to get out of their cars and safely walk and roll in their communities.
To that end, we are supporting budget priorities to use the dollars raised from the Climate Commitment Act towards decarbonizing our medium- and heavy- duty fleets, which produce toxic pollutants (in addition to greenhouse gas emissions) that are a detriment to the health of some of our most overburdened communities. We support HB 1368/ SB 5431, which take action to require and fund net-zero school buses. This bill is an important step to reducing chronic health conditions, such as asthma, that Washington children develop just by riding to school every day.
WPSR is also in support of a bill to incentivize transit-oriented development, SB 5466, which is an important step towards getting off the road and onto public transit. We also support HB 1647, which concerns the safety risks associated with SUVs and trucks. By encouraging safer spaces for pedestrians, we can effectively encourage a reduction in vehicle miles traveled per person by creating a safe public transit environment.
WPSR endorses the Rail Can’t Wait 2023 priorities, which promote the transition to electric rail for clean, safe transportation for the short- and medium-haul trips. We stand with the communities that oppose a new greenfield airport in Pierce County, and we point to rail as an effective alternative to help keep our communities safe from aviation pollution, while continuing to support the robust economy of Washington State.
WPSR supports electrified rail.
WPSR supports clean-electric high-speed trains, not more planes or more lanes, for US continental travel.
We oppose delaying or diverting Climate Commitment Act funds to projects that would not cut emissions until 2050.
We do not oppose ultra-high speed rail per se but are in favor of transportation policies that reduce emissions as soon as possible and as rapidly as possible.
Our Climate Health Report makes clear the national need for immediate action to decrease fossil-fueled transport by 2030, by first:
mode shifting passengers and freight from lanes and planes, to trains.
electrifying current corridors and yards
restoring abandoned train routes near interstate highways to decrease fossil-fueled freight and passenger vehicles on those roads.
Our work doesn’t stop when the legislative session ends. We are working year round to support a healthy climate. Check out how we are advancing a just future every day, including through building electrification and clean transportation! You can also see our work directly dismantling the fossil fuel industry in the name of the clean and just energy transition.