States of denial meet states of change

YEARS OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY

Beth Doglio

May 14, 2014

Years of Living Dangerously seemed an apt title for this week's episode of the climate documentary series. The opening footage of wreckage from Hurricane Sandy was a stark reminder that we are indeed living in the dangerous era of climate consequences: consequences from years of pollution-riddled energy fueling our economy; consequences from years of poor land use decisions. Now those consequences are impacting the lives of many.

This week's episode focused on climate policy debates in two states: Washington and New Jersey, and specifically on how Governors Inslee and Christie are responding (or not responding) to our climate crisis. Each time the scene switched from the Jersey shore to Olympia, Washington, I found myself more and more thankful to be living in Olympia. Governor Inslee offers a sense of hope as opposed to the despair that we saw from those living the consequences of Hurricane Sandy. My own despair grew, watching the lack of forethought in the land use decisions the state of New Jersey is making in the storm's aftermath. It seems horribly likely that much of the land under siege by Sandy will likely be under siege again soon.

And then there is the utter danger of the partisan gridlock that defines the lack of action on climate change in this country.

On the one hand…

"We're the first generation to feel the sting of climate change, and we are the last generation that can do something about it."
- Washington’s governor

Washington’s governor says, "We're the first generation to feel the sting of climate change, and we are the last generation that can do something about it."

And on the other…

When asked by a reporter, “Do you think climate change, rising sea levels, global warming had anything to do with uh, folks in this town and elsewhere?” Governor Christie responded, “Maybe, in the subsequent months and years, after I get done with trying to rebuild the state and put people back in their homes, I'll have the opportunity to ponder the esoteric question of the cause of this storm.”

Esoteric? You have got to be kidding me. Maybe in 1978- but now? Really?

What is clearly not esoteric is the threat of arguably unsafe coal trains—and now oil trains too—barrelling through our communities. A report from Sightline this week included the sobering detail that the Northwest region alone is seeing an average of nine freight derailments a month. Along with the trains comes fifty years of infrastructure allowing for the movement and combustion of billions of tons of coal, and billions of barrels of oil. And with that, more global warming, and more consequences. Yuck. Can’t you just see a different future? I can. And Governor Inslee can too.

After working with Climate Solutions and looking for climate solutions for the last seven years, I can tell you that it ain’t easy to transition ourselves to those solutions. It’s a time-intensive, labor-intensive transition that will, incidentally, create scads more jobs than moving dirty fossil fuels around. We have got to dig in and make it happen. Now. Today.

Author Bio

Beth Doglio

Senior Fellow, Climate Solutions

Beth Doglio is a former State Representative, community organizer, climate justice leader, and mother of two.

Serving in the Legislature from 2017 - 2021, Beth was one of Washington’s foremost leaders on clean energy and climate, housing and issues facing working families. She helped lead the passage of groundbreaking legislation to empower workers through higher wages and improved protections; to make Washington a leader in the fight against climate change; and to provide more resources to address homelessness.

As Vice Chair of the Capital Budget committee, she helped secure millions in funding for infrastructure projects, land preservation and recreation, housing, and clean energy. She also served on Transportation, Energy and Environment, Labor and Workforce Standards and the Technology and Economic Development Committees.

She is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of Quixote Communities, a non-profit providing housing units with a focus on Veterans and is a current member and co-founder of Win With Women, dedicated to electing progressive women to the state legislature. She is the Board Chair of the PARC (Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture) Foundation and a board member of her local YMCA.

After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Political Science and Telecommunications, Beth moved to Washington state in 1987.

Beth’s environmental leadership in our state began three decades ago as the founding Executive Director of Washington Conservation Voters (WCV). Under Beth’s leadership, WCV became one of the state’s most prominent environmental organizations: developing 12 chapters, creating a robust voter education program, and playing a key role in shaping policy to protect Washington’s natural resources and environment.

Following her time at WCV, Beth worked in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including at the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) and Audubon Washington, where she continued to fight for progressive, environmental, and community priorities.

Beth was a staff member at Climate Solutions from 2007-2020 working to pass federal, state and local climate policy and serving as the director of the Power Past Coal campaign. She currently serves as a consultant primarily on housing and climate issues. She enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, yoga, canoeing, and good food and laughter.