President-elect Joe Biden names climate change as one of four top priorities

President-elect Joe Biden is naming climate change as one of his top four priorities on his new transition website.

Biden's other priorities include COVID-19, economic recovery and racial equity.

As of Monday night, 60 percent of those I polled on Twitter said they like Biden’s focus on climate change.

Scientists said climate change could lead to even bigger wildfires in the decades ahead – a looming threat to the Pacific Northwest. People I interviewed are excited and optimistic about Biden’s commitment to address global warming.

"I think it’s huge because it can’t be put on the back-burner anymore," said Stacey Bennetts, who lives in Seattle.

"I'm amazed it hasn’t been for so long, that we just need to get on that, so I'm glad," said Karen Anderson, who lives in Seattle.

Biden has committed to re-enter the Paris climate accord. He also plans to put the U.S. on a path to achieve net-zero emission by no later than 2050.

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, who serves Washington's 7th congressional district, is supportive of Biden’s efforts.

"I’m excited for the movement that has really brought the urgency to the issue of climate change and to climate justice," Jayapal said.

While Jayapal said she wishes Biden’s timeline would be more aggressive, she said it’s a realistic plan.

"What’s politically possible is different than what is necessary," Jayapal said.

Washington State Climatologist Dr. Nick Bond said he hopes to see more focus on forest management here along the West Coast under the Biden administration.

"As climate change accelerates, it’s going to be a different place," Bond said.

The Director of the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Groups Dr. Amy Snover hopes Biden invests in regional science around the country to better identify and address the climate threats at a local level.

"Local communities are where climate change will manifest, this is where it’s going to happen. Floods happen locally, droughts happen locally, fires happen locally," Snover said.

Governor Jay Inslee made climate change the cornerstone of his campaign for president. Inslee's office said Monday they are supportive of Biden’s plan to work with other world leaders to cut greenhouse gas emissions.