Discover How Your Council Candidates Plan to Combat Climate Change – Insights from RANGE Media

In recent years, Spokane has faced some serious climate challenges. In 2021, a heatwave tragically claimed the lives of 19 residents. This year, the Gray Fire took one person’s life and destroyed many homes in Medical Lake. Additionally, for the first time, a stretch of the Spokane River dried up. These events have occurred amid a four-year drought, showing how climate issues are becoming a regular concern for residents.

Research links these extreme weather events to rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions. As our planet warms, the effects are more pronounced. This rising trend prompted a forum at Gonzaga University, where local city council candidates gathered to discuss their climate policies.

This forum, held by the university’s Institute on Climate, Water, and the Environment, focused on long-term plans for Spokane and Spokane Valley. These plans determine how land can be used, where public transport goes, and how streets are built, all of which impact our carbon footprints. The choices made today will shape our communities for years to come.

Six of the 13 invited candidates attended. Among them were Sarah Dixit and Jonathan Bingle for Spokane’s District 1, Zack Zappone and Christopher Savage for District 3, and Mike Kelly and Kristopher Pockell for Spokane Valley. This was thefirst time Spokane Valley candidates joined the conversation about climate change, signaling an increased awareness of local impacts.

The candidates shared various ideas, some mandated by state regulations, to combat climate issues. These included building more densely in urban areas, enhancing public transit, and allowing a mix of residential and commercial buildings in neighborhoods. A common thread throughout the evening was the need for budget alignment with climate solutions. Many candidates agreed that effective action depends largely on funding.

Mike Kelly, a conservative candidate, hinted at an urban development vision resembling European city layouts. He suggested combining residential units with retail spaces to create affordable housing and better use of urban areas. His approach reflects new state initiatives that encourage local governments to adopt more sustainable practices.

Brian Henning, director of the Institute on Climate, Water, and the Environment, noted that comprehensive planning is integral to addressing climate change effectively. For the first time, Spokane County will include a chapter in its planning focused on reducing emissions, which could help guide future policies.

Kelly and Pockell both emphasized the importance of developing vacant land to prevent urban sprawl. They expressed the need for higher-density housing and mixed-use developments to make better use of space. However, budget constraints were a recurring concern, with candidates pointing out that financial limitations could impede effective climate policies.

Some candidates, like Zappone and Dixit, called for progressive taxation on wealthy individuals and large corporations to generate revenue for climate initiatives. Dixit highlighted the burden of sales tax on low-income residents, advocating for a fairer taxation system to ensure everyone contributes to mitigating climate change.

Despite their intentions, candidates recognized the financial realities of Washington’s economic situation. The city is currently facing a $13 million deficit, complicating efforts to implement climate solutions. Savage echoed this sentiment, suggesting that cheaper initiatives, like planting urban trees through the SpoCanopy program, could help cool the city. He has personally planted 100 trees but indicated that funding needs to prioritize essential services, like policing and fire response, over less immediate projects.

The discussion also touched on water conservation, which has become critical as the region faces a significant water shortage. Spokane’s residents consume nearly 300 gallons per person daily, three times the national average. The city has imposed restrictions on lawn watering during peak heat but lacks effective enforcement mechanisms for these rules. Candidates agreed that the city needs to lead by example when it comes to water conservation.

Kelly suggested building partnerships with large water users, such as farms and golf courses, to find more sustainable practices. His idea highlights the community’s need to collaborate to maximize water use efficiency. However, the city’s practices sometimes contradict these efforts. Candidates noted that Spokane often waters parks during the hottest parts of the day, feeding confusion about water regulations among residents.

Beyond immediate policies, the candidates acknowledged that some climate impacts are now unavoidable due to past inaction at national levels. This makes local responses even more vital. The combination of effective policies, community engagement, and budgetary considerations will ultimately shape Spokane’s ability to confront ongoing climate challenges. As the situation evolves, so, too, must the local government’s approach to ensuring both safety and sustainability for its residents.

For a deeper dive into the discussions and proposed strategies, you can watch the full forum [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_EepXcQYQg&list=PLameJiRPwIlTR2mL4Up_m16ZsK9rEg98f&index=8). The conversation is just beginning, and as climate conditions worsen, it becomes increasingly crucial that Spokane’s leaders step up to meet these challenges head-on.

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