Ask any local resident, “What do you love most about living here?”, and you’ll get a wide variety of answers. Some will say the friendly community, some the safe and top-tier public schools. However, there is one thing that all residents, of Mercer Island and beyond, can agree on. The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

Dark green forests, clean rivers and abundant salmon are all things we’ve grown to take for granted after living in such a wonderful place for so long. The nature here is so massive, it’s hard to believe it is in danger of ever disappearing. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

The Pacific Northwest is being threatened by a number of things: deforestation, coal trains and port expansion are all taking a toll. It is essential that we have representatives in office who understand this, and are capable of making a difference. I urge all residents to vote to re-elect Dow Constantine for King County executive.

Constantine was raised in this area, and is someone who understands the natural treasure we were given here in Washington. He has been a strong supporter of the environment even from his earliest days, and has worked to preserve open space and fight climate change.

Some of his work in office includes a goal he set for Metro bus services, to “increase transit service through 2020 with no net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.” Constantine hosted the first Safe Energy Leadership Alliance meeting, which was vital to Washington’s later passing of laws to protect against oil-train explosions and spills. Currently, he is working toward his goal of planting one million trees by 2020.

Constantine has proven himself to be a driving force against climate change, and there seems to be no end to his dedication. Islanders, we need a leader who is willing to fight the way he has. Elect Dow Constantine, and let’s work together to preserve the Washington we know and love.

Lauren Cartwright, Mercer Island