The legislative session has ended, and while it was a mixed bag for climate-friendly bills, like every year, there are still plenty of opportunities to put pressure on elected officials.

One of the most surprisingly easy ways to start is with the County Commissioners, and we hope the guide below will clear any confusion about accessing their weekly, public meetings.

Who Are the County Commissioners?

Elected in their own districts—now freshly divvied up by a bipartisan redistricting committee—Spokane County’s five county commissioners can enact a broad set of budgetary and policy-making decisions. Their stated purpose is “identify and clarify the needs of the people, and ensure the county responds to those needs.”

If you experience another heatwave, want future housing to invest in efficient energy, or are concerned about public transportation, the County Commissioners can and should respond to those needs. It’s their job, after all.

How Can You Speak at Their Meetings?

The Commissioners hold public meetings on Tuesdays at 2:00 PM. These are in-person, but there is also an option to attend the meeting virtually.

To participate virtually, the public can call 1-877-853-5257 or join the Committee’s Zoom link, which is posted weekly (usually Mondays) on their Public Meetings page, labeled as Weekly Meeting Calendar under Meeting Documents.

Public testimony is typically conducted first during these meetings, beginning with in-person testimony and followed by virtual testimony.

The key is to plan ahead. Check the Commissioners’ webpage for the most up-to-date links and schedules, and make sure you carve out enough time in case others are speaking ahead of you.

What Do I Say?

It can be difficult to express anxiety about climate change, and from a policymaking perspective, it can be hard to tackle climate change all at once. That’s why it’s best to focus on concrete experiences first. Find the global in the local.

If you or someone in your household experiences health issues related to wildfire smoke or the increased summer heat, speak about those experiences and demand Spokane support its residents who are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. If you want to minimize pollution, traffic, and emissions, demand that the bus system be expanded. Look at construction laws to see if there are ways to minimize transportation or vehicle dependence.

The more pressure we can put on the County Commissioners to factor sustainability into their service to the county, the more effective we are, not just as a movement but as a community.