From:            Sarah Shifley
To:                Commission-Public-Records
Subject:           [EXTERNAL] Public comment for May 25, 2021 Port Commissioner Meeting
Date:              Monday, May 24, 2021 8:54:03 AM

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Dear Port of Seattle Staff --
Below is a written comment for the Commissioners' May 25 meeting. Please let me know that
you've received it and that it will be submitted. Also, please summarize the comment orally
during the meeting as follows:
There is now even more consensus that, for us to have an environmentally and economically
stable future, aviation activity must be limited or reduced. The International Energy Agency --
whose missions include promoting secure and affordable energy supplies to foster economic
growth -- just released a report calling for replacementof short flights with rail and limiting
longer business and leisure flights to 2019 levels (by 2050). As you listen to the Commercial
Aviation Coordinating Commission presentation this afternoon, please remember that It is no
longer tenable -- either environmentally or economically -- to consider expanding aviation
activity.
____

Dear Port of Seattle Commissioners --
My name is Sarah Shifley. I am a south Seattle resident and member of 350 Seattle's Aviation
Team.
Today, you are receiving a presentation from the Commercial Aviation Coordinating
Commission regarding expanding aviation capacityin the region. During this presentation, I
would ask that you also consider the following recommendations from the International
Energy Agency (IEA), whose missions include promoting secure and affordable energy
supplies to foster economic growth.
In this recently-released report, the IEA calls for short flights to be replaced by rail, and
most critically, for long-haul leisure and business flights to be capped at 2019 levels (by
2050). If not swiftly and significantly addressed, the climate crisis will also be economic
crisis. Since aviation remains one of our region's largest contributors to the climate crisis, now
is the time to chart an equitable path toward aviation degrowth, a path that includes mitigating
the harms done to airport-impacted communities and ensure stable employment for those
currently working in the aviation industry.
Thank you,
Sarah Shifley