Jay Inslee states that Washington State is a "model of success" for the United States: NPR

Jay Inslee, governor of Washington, did not hesitate to bid for the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential candidate in the face of global climate change.

In his policy proposal, he argues that overcoming climate change is the "defining challenge of our time" and that it is up to the next President of the United States to make this challenge a priority.

"It takes a president to do this job 1, because if it's not work 1, it will not be done," Inslee told NPR. "We must understand that if we do not solve the climate crisis, it will prevent us from facing all our other hopes and challenges."

Inslee also said that his country is an example of how economic growth and progressive policies such as the fight against climate change do not have to contradict each other.

"We have shown that we have developed the best economy in the United States that [has] the fastest GDP growth and the fastest wage growth, not in spite of the fact that we are adopting clean energy, but because we are adopting clean energy, "he said.

Inslee spoke with Morning edition as part of conversations about the opening arguments of the show, explore the essential messages of the presidential candidates.

Highlights of the interview

Why more people are interested in climate change

People are becoming more compassionate because they understand. They are watching heaven, California, burn to the ground; they watch the Midwest being flooded by floods; they see Miami Beach spending taxpayers' money to build roads because of the flood, and that's the reality and science that convince people rather than mere speeches or ideologies. …

It's the existential threat and it requires a president to do this job 1, because if it's not work 1, it will not happen. We must understand that if we do not solve the climate crisis, it will prevent us from facing all our other hopes and challenges.

Why Washington's record is a model for the United States

There are several tools in the toolbox [and] there are many policies that we can adopt. We saw them working in other jurisdictions and in other countries. And now we have them set up in the state of Washington. And I believe that my state is a model of success for the United States in our climate policies as well as in all the other progressive things we have accomplished.

We have shown that we have developed the best economy in the United States, the one with the fastest GDP growth and the fastest wage growth, not in spite of the fact that we opt for clean energy. but because we adopt clean energy. But we have not finished yet. There is more to do. We now need it to rest in the White House.

Why can he defeat President Trump

I am the only candidate who beat him 21 times. I have sued 21 times and we are 21 and 0 – this is not a bad start record. This shows my understanding of both the value system, the Constitution and the law. And these are good bases for defeating Donald Trump. And frankly, I think I'm a good fit for him, because he's a very pessimistic and fearful person and that I project a vision of trust and optimism, as well as a sense of self-esteem. American spirit of initiative.

Look at clean energy … climate change is a model to follow. He does not think we are smart enough to revolutionize our economy. He is too pessimistic about the capabilities of the American people. I think of the American people who always have what we did when we went to the moon and we just need a spark of inspiration … and I think America is ready and willing and able to create a whole new economy of clean energy sparkles and inspires.

Victoria Whitley-Berry contributed to this story and produced for broadcast.