
Money From Washington Carbon Tax Should Go to Rural Areas, DNR Commissioner Says
Listen
Washington’s commissioner of public lands is calling on the state legislature to put a price on carbon to try to curb emissions in the state.
But Hilary Franz differs with Gov. Jay Inslee about how to use the money.
Franz says proceeds from any carbon tax or cap should go to Washington’s rural communities and economies, including forestry, the shellfish industry, and agriculture. Rural communities depend on natural resources, she explains, so investment in climate change adaptation and mitigation is most urgent there.
“As we face issues of drought and dust storms that we’re already seeing in Washington state, how do we put investments for water storage?” she asked. “How do we make sure we’re improving our soil? How do we make sure we’re incentivizing and improving working farmlands that we’re only going to need more as we depend on our own lands here to produce food and wood supply and water?”
As for forests, Franz says climate change is bringing drought, disease, insect infestations and an increased risk of wildfires, which could be countered by investing in forest health and wildfire prevention.
Inslee’s proposal would invest more than half the revenue generated by a carbon tax in education and only 5 percent in communities affected by climate change.
Related Stories:

More Than Work: Living On A Ship, Crew, Officers Become Friends, Family
The Bell M. Shimada is designed to gather scientific information. But the collaborative effort of the crew and officers makes scientific endeavors at sea possible. Continue Reading More Than Work: Living On A Ship, Crew, Officers Become Friends, Family

This Single-Celled Sea Critter Could Help Scientists Learn About Climate Change
One single-celled oceanic organism could provide big answers to questions about climate change. Continue Reading This Single-Celled Sea Critter Could Help Scientists Learn About Climate Change

Growing Phytoplankton To Learn More About The Ocean’s Food Web
Phytoplankton make up an extremely important part of the ocean’s food chain, serving as food for organisms that feed young salmon and other fish in the ocean. Continue Reading Growing Phytoplankton To Learn More About The Ocean’s Food Web