Legislation requested by Gov. Jay Inslee would require local governments to plan for climate change. The House passed the bill last Friday.

More than 1 million new residents have arrived in Washington state over the last decade. To accommodate this growth, and to meet aggressive emissions reduction targets, state and local governments must plan together.

To meet critical climate goals, failing to plan would be planning to fail.

Gov. Jay Inslee requested legislation this session to improve the state’s response to climate change by updating the Washington Growth Management Act (GMA). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr, passed off the floor of the state House of Representatives on March 3.

“We can do a better job of planning, adapting, and building more sustainably,” Duerr said. “This legislation is about protecting our homes and small businesses from floods, wildfires, droughts, and the growing dangers caused by climate change.”

Read the full story on Gov. Jay Inslee's Medium here.