We see effects of climate crisis on our beaches; act on threat

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, December 26, 2023

With more than 196 miles of shoreline, Whidbey and Camano islands have a lot of beautiful water views and shoreline to walk. My go-to walk is West Beach on Whidbey Island where, a few times a week, I enjoy walking along the rocky coast and enjoying the views of the Cascades while hoping to catch a glimpse of an orca. Recently however, I noticed that each time I go to the beach, the bluff is eroded more and more with each visit. The once sturdy bluff here is slowly but surely crumbling away.

This erosion isn’t an isolated incident, but the consequence of years and years of high levels of carbon dioxide in our oceans and air. As more carbon dioxide enters our atmosphere, our oceans warm and the sea levels rise and become more turbulent, among a host of other interconnected processes which impact our coastal areas.

As I don’t want to see one of Whidbey’s favorite beaches disappear, I ask you to take a moment to email and call your local representatives in Congress; they do listen. Ask your representatives to support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R.5744), which aims to promote alternative energies that can decarbonize our atmosphere.

I ask for Rep. Rick Larsen and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to support the bill, as it is a crucial step towards a sustainable future and will put money back in the pockets of low and middle income Americans. Together, let’s be the change we want to see. We have the power to shape policy and make a lasting impact.

Natalie Emery

Oak Harbor