Last week Audubon Washington co-sponsored a forum on clean transportation in the Issaquah Highlands. Over 50 attendees came to learn about what our region and state do to make our transportation system more accessible, affordable, and clean!

More global warming pollution comes from transportation than from any other sector so it was an important opportunity to give people a glimpse of what the future could look like and steps we can take to move in that direction. We also discussed the challenges we face locally and statewide, and how we can overcome them together. 

Dr. Kristen Knox, retired family physician and member of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, spoke about the health and climate impacts from our current transportation system. Kelsey Mesher of Transportation Choices Coalition spoke about the threats posed by Initiative 976. Kelly Hall of Climate Solutions spoke about the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency clean fuels rule and Clean Fuels Standard in 2020 legislature. Washington state Representative Bill Ramos who sits on the House Transportation committee spoke about the ongoing process of passing a statewide clean fuel standard from inside the halls of Olympia. Finally, Audubon Washington’s own Ben Silesky shared the many ways everyone could engage in solutions. We were also joined by another half dozen current or former elected officials from the state legislature and city council members in Issaquah and Bellevue.

The evening included a clean vehicle showcase and a wonderful welcome by Ken Workman, great-great-great-great grandson of Chief Seattle.