Hello, my name is Isabel Krull and I am a lobbyist advocating for environmental sustainability.

I
graduated from the University of Washington with a major in environmental studies with
concentrations in both conservation and environmental education. I work for Stillwater
Dwellings, a company that designs contemporary prefab homes that are both sustainable and
affordable. For the company, I am an advisor, meaning that I work to integrate the latest
energy-saving technology into our homes. I also work with buyers of the prefab homes to
educate them on sustainability, conservation, and climate change. Today, I will be speaking
about Bill 2-2016 on behalf of the Energy and Public Works Committee.
Throughout the last few decades, the consumption of fossil fuels has exponentially increased and
has contributed greatly to the degradation of our environment. The increased emissions have led
to the urgent issue of climate change and global warming, which will continue to threaten the
health of the environment, wildlife, and humans if immediate actions are not taken. It is because
of this that I support the passing of the Full Expansion of Cap and Trade bill.
Today, the United States is the 2nd greatest contributor to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and
collectively, carbon dioxide composes of Earths atmosphere. Today, due to polar ice caps
melting and carbon levels rising in our oceans, sea levels are expected to rise at least 25 feet
within the next 35 years. These increases of CO2 levels are not naturally occurring on their own,
and this is why it is our responsibility to fix it. If immediate efforts to battle climate change are
not made, temperatures will continue to rise, precipitation patterns will shift downward,
droughts, heat waves and natural disasters will become more often and intense, and sea levels
will continue to rise at alarming rates.
The consequences of global warming does not go without evidence. Global sea level rose about 7
inches in the last century, and in the past decade that current rate doubled. All three major global
surface temperature analysis show that Earth has warmed since 1880, but all of the 10 warmest
years have been within the past 12 years. Our oceans have absorbed 80% of this absorbed heat,
and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have decreased in mass. Between 2002 and 2006,
Greenland lost 36-60 miles of ice per year, and Antarctica lost about 36 miles between 2002 and
2005 per year. Let me reiterate: this has all happened rapidly within the last twelve years. The
claim that climate change naturally occurs is true. However, with these intense and drastic
changes that we are seeing, that statement is no longer valid.
Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, we have seen massive spikes in temperatures,
carbon levels, and rising sea levels, and this is not a coincidence. This is not a gradual,
exponential change in which we can turn our backs to. The growth rates are only continuing to
increase, and if we do not make drastic changes now, we will not have the chance to in the
future.

When we look at ways to battle climate change and global warming, we often land on the
solution of using renewable energy. However, the problem we run into with this is the
willingness for companies and industries to transfer to clean energy. With the offer of incentives
to companies using clean energy through the form of money, I do believe that industries will
begin to make efforts to change. For companies that are not willing, enforcement of maximum
pollutant emission levels will ensure that each company is being held responsible.
I feel strongly about this bill because my company works hard to be environmentally
responsible, but our efforts are not enough to make significant impacts when battling climate
change. If this bill passes and all industries are being moderated, it will be enough to make an
impact within this battle. Not only will it benefit the entire human race by beginning to heal the
damage that has been done to our climate, but it will also benefit many companies, including my
own who make environmental efforts with incentives and tax breaks.
In conclusion, I urge you to vote to pass the bill because of the ramifications we will face if we
do not begin making significant efforts to change our current emissions of greenhouse gas and
carbon dioxide. If we dont act now, our climate will only continue to become less and less
sustainable.
Thank you.