Editor’s Note: Jay Inslee is a Democrat and the governor of Washington. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
(CNN) —
While Donald Trump is blowing smoke on climate change, we here in the West have been choking on it this summer. And if we don’t start electing people – from city council to governor – who are willing to confront climate change, we’re all going to pay dearly.
PHOTO:
Courtesy of the office of Gov. Jay Inslee
Jay Inslee
In Washington state we know this from our own gasping experience. For two weeks in August, the skies were shrouded in the darkest smoke in recent memory, as record-breaking fires tore through the Western states – destroying communities and forcing widespread evacuations. A thick, acrid and dangerous pall from hundreds of fires filled the lungs of citizens trying to go about their lives.
And this month climate change has brought more tragedy and destruction to our country. Hurricane Florence hit North and South Carolina with a combination of wind strength, rainfall and storm surge that is unprecedented — but increasingly expected – for the region.
For millions of Americans, climate change is no longer just a chart or a graph. It’s wildfires. It’s floodwater invading our homes and drought destroying our crops. It’s hurricanes and record-breaking heat waves. It’s an emerging new normal, one that we don’t need to accept as inevitable.
Americans, we must start voting on climate change. We can in just a few weeks, in voter initiatives and in elections for governors and state legislatures throughout the country. That is because states can lead the fight against the serious dangers posed by global warming, building a safer future full of new and greater economic opportunities, powered by fast-growing clean energy solutions like wind and solar energy, and electric vehicles. It’s happening everywhere already.
06:22 - Source: CNN
How Trump's tweet sparked #WhyIDidntReport
How Trump's tweet sparked #WhyIDidntReport
PHOTO:
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump speaks during the swearing-in ceremony for Gina Haspel as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, May 21, 2018. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Now playing
These are the highlights of Trump's Twitter habit
Lawmaker: You won't win Twitter war with Trump
trump twitter demanda libertad expresion vo dusa directo usa_00010127.jpg
Now playing
Does Trump purposely include typos in tweets?
PHOTO:
Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: (L to R) President-elect Donald Trump and Kanye West stand together in the lobby at Trump Tower, December 13, 2016 in New York City. President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration.
Now playing
Yes, President Trump just retweeted Kanye West
PHOTO:
photo illustration: getty images/flatiron books/allie schmitz/cnn
Now playing
Trump unloads on Twitter at Comey
PHOTO:
CNN
Maggie Haberman 4.23
Now playing
Maggie Haberman responds after Trump attack
PHOTO:
Allie Schmitz/CNNMoney
Now playing
These are Trump's deleted tweets (2018)
PHOTO:
Twitter / @realDonaldTrump
Now playing
Trump tweets photo from GOP leadership dinner
PHOTO:
Will Mullery/CNN Politics
Now playing
What Trump's tweets taught us in 2017
Stelter: Trump's tweet on CNN is crazy talk
PHOTO:
CNN
clapper new day
Now playing
Clapper on tweets: Trump is his own worst enemy
PHOTO:
JIM WATSON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on February 16, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / JIM WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Now playing
Trump slams Oprah, calls her insecure
Trump explains tweets on his mental state
PHOTO:
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 21: U.S. President Donald Trump tells reporters that he is leaving the White House to visit troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center December 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump said he was visiting the injured military service members to wish them a merry Christmas. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Now playing
Trump: I'm a very stable genius
So, why is the Trump administration doing everything it can to dismantle climate progress?