DNR: Commissioner Franz Statement on President Trump’s Decision to Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement

OLYMPIA – Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz released the following statement after President Donald Trump decided to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.
 “This is a sad day for America. President Trump has broken our promise to the world to lead the way to a future in which we sustainably feed and support our communities. The burden now falls on us a state to double down on these efforts.
 “Today’s action by the president makes it clear we must do everything we can to prepare and adapt our state for the impacts of a changing climate. States have long been the front-runners of progress, and we will continue to lead the way.
 “We owe it to the 100,000 workers in Washington’s forest industry who are seeing their jobs go up in the smoke of intensifying wildfires, accelerating disease and broader insect infestations. We owe it to the 32,000 Washington shellfish workers who are seeing acidifying seas destroy the developing shells of our oysters and mussels. We owe it to the 90,000 people who work for Washington’s 100-plus clean energy companies whose products are exported to overseas buyers. We owe it to the 200,000 workers in Washington's outdoor recreation industry, who need clean air and water to help our people access and appreciate the lands that make us the Evergreen State. We owe it to the children who dig geoducks every day and to those who have never seen one.
 “It is up to us, the elected leaders of our state, to address threats to our quality of life. I will continue and redouble efforts to work for sound climate policy that works for all the people of our state, policies that:
* Significantly reduce carbon pollution
* Preserve the productivity of state lands
* Protect existing, family wage jobs in natural resource industries
* Grow new jobs in clean energy
* Provide value to those impacted by climate change, and those impacted by the policies we develop in response
 “We can take care of each other in Washington. Whether we live in Wallingford or Washtucna, our lands sustain us. It is our duty, now more than ever, to return the favor.”---from a press release issued June 1st.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/commissioner-franz-statement-president-trump%E2%80%99s-decision-withdraw-paris-climate-agreement

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