UNITED NATIONS - The leaders of British Columbia, California, Oregon and Washington, as part of the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy (pacificcoastcollaborative.org) , agreed last year to work together to advance national and international policy on climate change.

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN Secretary-General's Climate Leadership Summit (un.org) , Pacific Coast leaders delivered these statements of support for bold, decisive action: 

Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia - 

“British Columbia has proven that there’s no need to choose between protecting the environment and growing the economy. B.C.’s revenue-neutral carbon tax has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while encouraging more sustainable economic development and competitive tax rates.”

Video statement: http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange/british-columbia-premier-you-can-grow-economy-protect-environment 

Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor of California - 

“Carbon pollution kills, it undermines our environment, and, long-term, it’s an economic loser. There has to be a price on carbon, because there is a price on carbon - it’s the consequences to health, to the economy, and to our climate. We face an existential challenge with the changes in our climate. The time to act is now.”

Video statement: http://blogs.worldbank.org/climatechange/gov-brown-co2-emissions-already-carry-cost-public-health-economy-climate

John Kitzhaber, Governor of Oregon - 

“Climate change presents a significant and urgent problem for our region and the world. I commend the United Nations for their work this week to lay the groundwork for the next global climate compact. We are the first generation to experience the very real costs of climate change and the last generation that can still effectively do something about it. I am proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish in partnership with BC Premier Christy Clark and Governors Brown and Inslee through the PCC. Together we are building a model clean economy that will allow for growth and prosperity in an ever carbon-constrained world.”

Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington - 

“In Washington State, the impacts of climate change are already here - larger and more frequent wildfires, increasing ocean acidification that is harming our shellfish industry, reduced and less reliable water supplies, and growing damage to shoreline infrastructure and communities. And the facts are clear - unless we act now, at a scale commensurate with the risks, the impacts of climate change will get worse, affecting every aspect of our lives, and the lives of our children. We stand with the rest of the global community, committed to preventing the worst that climate change could bring.”

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The Pacific Coast Collaborative was established to address the unique and shared circumstances of the Pacific coastal areas and jurisdictions in North America by providing a framework for co-operative action, a forum for leadership and the sharing of information on best practices, and a common voice on issues facing coastal and Pacific jurisdictions.

Media Contacts: 

British Columbia: Carolyn Heiman, Carolyn.Heiman@gov.bc.ca or (250) 356-7104

California: Governor’s Press Office, GovPressOffice@gov.ca.gov, 916-445-4571

Oregon: Rachel Wray, rachel.wray@oregon.gov or (503) 559-1277

Washington: David Postman, David.Postman@gov.wa.gov or (360) 902-4136

Resource Media: Eric Jaffe, ejaffe@resource-media.org or (415) 397-5000 x311