Optimistic

It has been a difficult spring on many fronts. I’ve been reassured, though, by the community spirit displayed on the Palouse. From patrons purchasing gift cards to help struggling businesses, to restaurants providing free dinners for those in need, to marches to protest racism and state violence, I’m proud of our community.

This pride and reassurance makes me optimistic that we can work together on other problems we face. The consequences of climate change are coming home to the Palouse – we can see it in changing weather patterns, rising river temperatures and declining fish populations. Nonetheless, I am optimistic that we can put in the work necessary to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier future. We can be good stewards of this beautiful place that we all enjoy. We can support our local governments and their efforts at sustainability. We can act on a nationwide level as well: there is increasing bipartisan support for H.R. 763 Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This act uses the free market to encourage reliable clean energy and technology, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050, and give us peace of mind about the future. We can tell our Members of Congress to support this important bill.

Casey Johnson,

Moscow, Idaho