Climate Commitment Act Accountability

The Sunday Seattle Times Opinion page, Editorial “Make Washington’s Landmark Climate Act More Accountable” urged lawmakers to “speed up the reporting of climate emissions data so all Washingtonians can see whether the CCA is—or isn’t—producing results”. That “if the data demonstrate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, it will reinforce that the billions of dollars are effectively fighting climate change”.

It's unclear why the Seattle Times editors expect “lawmakers” to report on climate emissions that would seem to be under the purview of Washington’s Department of Ecology.  Whoever’s responsible, there’s ample reason to question the benefit of the CCA's reduction of CO2 emissions on global warming.

First, there’s evidence that increasing CO2 in atmosphere is the result of increasing warming from the Sun not the cause.  That ice core data indicated warming from the Sun increased ocean temperatures and CO2 outgassing to atmosphere.  That subsequent reductions in global temperatures from less radiation from Sun were followed, not led, by more ocean absorption of CO2 and less in atmosphere.

That Washington’s CO2 emissions make up only 1.56% of the countries.  That the United States make up 11.2% of the worlds. Thus, any benefits from reducing emissions are limited to reducing the states 0.117% of the total.  They don’t require allowances from those burning natural gas where they live or work or gas or diesel in their vehicles that make up nearly 70% of the state’s total CO2 “pollution".

That any potential climate benefits from the CCA reducing Washington’s CO2 emission will be dwarfed by China plans to add 25% more to its 30% of planet’s CO2 emissions by 2030.  Especially since the jet stream will route those emissions over Washington

The bottom line is if the Seattle Times wants to speed up reporting the emissions reduction from CCA to provide “Accountability” regarding fighting climate change. It's not likely it will "reinforce that the billions of dollars are effectively fighting climate change”.