John –

When my boys were young, I took them on occasional "Guys' Weekends." Sometimes that meant enjoying activities close to home, like camping on the Olympic Peninsula. Other times, it meant broader travel plans, like flying across the country to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

In the spring of 2005, my older son, Bob, and I were especially excited; we'd planned a trip to somewhere we had never been: New Orleans, The Big Easy, home to some of the greatest jazz in the world, unique Cajun cooking, and Bourbon Street!

On August 29, 2005 – 18 years ago today – we watched Hurricane Katrina pummel the Gulf Coast, and immediately, our focus shifted from "What are we going to do in New Orleans?" to "What are we going to do for New Orleans?"

There was devastation like no one could have imagined. Katrina killed 1,400 people and caused more than $100 billion of damage. Like millions of others, our family donated to the relief efforts, but no amount of money could undo the feeling that so much had changed forever.

Today, we see Katrina for what it was, the first in a long line of now-commonplace severe weather events. Just this summer, we saw a hurricane tear through southern California, a weeks-long heat wave in the southwest exceed 110 every day, and horrific wildfires in Hawaii that destroyed entire towns and killed dozens – perhaps hundreds – of people.

Though not everyone admits it publicly, we all know these tragedies share a key factor: climate change.

So let's be clear: the need for action has never been more urgent, and we are well beyond debating the causes of the climate crisis.

It's an existential global threat, and Washington State hasn't escaped the consequences. Track the change in temperatures, count the skyrocketing number of wildfires, watch sea level and water temperature rise. The consequences go on and on, affecting our environment, our fish and wildlife, our pocketbooks, and, above all else, the safety of our families, friends, and neighbors.

That's why Washington state is leading the effort to decarbonize and create a sustainable green economy with plentiful – and good paying – jobs. Washingtonians can all be proud of those achievements, despite our disagreements about policy details.

Our elected officials must recognize climate change and should never back down from the fight to end climate change. And, John: I won't.

Denny