Regional Public Journalism
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Climate Activists Urge Washington Lawmakers To Take Action In 2018

Enrique Perez de la Rosa
/
Northwest News Network
Climate activists rally on the steps of the Washington state Capitol on Monday, the first day of the 2018 legislative session.

Climate activists want Washington state to be powered exclusively by renewable energy within 10 years. They rallied at the state Capitol Monday—the first day of the legislative session.

Sarah Papanicolau spoke at the rally alongside her young son. 

“As a parent, it is heartbreaking to think of the uncertainty that our next generation faces, of the droughts and mega-storms they will endure, and of the other far-reaching effects that we yet to even consider,” she said. "This is an important moment in history where the tides must be turned if we want a livable planet.”

Activists also want lawmakers to halt a liquefied natural gas plant in Tacoma.

After rallying on steps of the Capitol, a group of protesters called 350.org briefly disrupted the swearing in ceremony for Republican state Sen. Keith Wagoner by chanting in the Senate galleries. Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib ordered them to be removed from the chamber.

Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee plans to unveil his new proposal for a tax on carbon emissions in his state of the state address in Olympia.