Editor's Take: March 26, 2008
Green-Collar Job Rush: Real or Hype?
Welding wind turbines, retrofitting buildings, installing solar panels – many believe that skilled green employment is the key to a strong domestic workforce. In the most-often-cited estimate, there are 8.5 million jobs in renewable energy or energy efficient industries in the U.S. today. Optimists see expansion and enormous opportunity for the economy and the environment; skeptics don’t see a silver bullet.
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Green Collar Jobs Growing, But Is It Just a Trend?
New York Times
03/26/2008
No doubt that the number of green-collar jobs is growing, as homeowners, business and industry shift toward conservation and renewable energy. And the numbers are expected to increase greatly in the next few decades, because state governments have mandated that even more energy come from alternative sources.
But some skeptics argue that the phrase "green jobs" is little more than a trendy term for politicians and others to bandy about. Some say they are not sure that these jobs will have the staying power to help solve the problems of the nation's job market, and others note that green jobs often pay less than the old manufacturing jobs they are replacing.
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Housing Bubble: Bay Area Homes Drop Record 13.2 Percent
San Francisco Chronicle
03/26/2008
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller report found the average cost of a Bay Area home fell 13.2 percent from January 2007, the sharpest decline since the report began in 2006, when it tracked 18 years worth of data. More than half of the decrease in the region, defined as Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties, occurred since November.
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Obamanomics: Supporters May Push Candidate Left
In These Times
03/25/2008
Even the unions that have endorsed Obama -- including most members of Change to Win -- have found it hard to differentiate his economic policies from those of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). But an energized constituency could push Obama's centrist economic plan to the left.
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Climate Change Hitting Us Where it Hurts: Allergies and Farms
Vancouver Sun
03/26/2008
Allergies will be on the rise because of global warming pollution that is also threatening the agriculture industry, new research indicates. Monster-sized, pollen-ladened weeds that seem to thrive on CO2 bring the reality of climate change to our own bodies and to local farms.
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Back to the Future for B.C. On Clean, Cheap Power
Vancouver Sun
03/26/2008
Former cabinet minister Pat McGeer wants B.C. to renew its commitment to big hydro dams and their legacy of "cheap, clean, renewable" electric power.
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Green Taxes: Washington Congressman Wants Rebate Checks for Efficient Appliances
Longview Daily News
03/26/2008
He opposed the $168 billion economic stimulus plan Congress passed last month, but Congressman Brian Baird encouraged citizens to go green with tax rebates they'll get under the program.
Taxpayers should use the rebate checks to buy energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, the Southwest Washington Democrat said in a brief address to the Longview Early Edition Rotary Tuesday morning.
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Pine Beetle's Carnage Hurts Salmon Streams in B.C.
Victoria Times Colonist
03/26/2008
Some 60 per cent of the Fraser River watershed is affected through the loss of forest cover over salmon streams that has led to numerous impacts that "significantly alter the watershed's ecology, threatening already stressed salmon runs."
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Is B.C.'s Economy Ready for a Slump?
The Tyee
03/26/2008
British Columbia and the BC Liberal government have enjoyed the benefits of a strong economy for several years. But now the United States is possibly in recession and at least some Canadian provinces are following it down. It's too soon to say whether B.C. will follow too, but observers and the Finance Ministry are at least predicting slower growth.
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Commentary: Support Landowners Who Keep Their Property in Forestry
Seattle Times
03/26/2008
More regulation will not serve the forest industry. Overregulation will only drive more forest conversion. We should be bending over backward to support landowners who keep their property in forestry. The moderate environmental community knows this. It has observed that when you drive out the loggers, you welcome the developers.
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Commentary: Hard Work Helped Get Idaho Air Quality Bill Passed
Boise Idaho Statesman
03/26/2008
Clean air advocates have pushed for state and local air quality solutions, in an attempt to preempt EPA sanctions. They fought long and hard for an emissions testing bill.
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