Editor's Take: April 30, 2008
Credit: Catskills Grrl/Flickr
How to Power Down
Can we radically cut energy use--and costs? Juneau's conservation efforts, which quickly reduced power consumption by 30 percent, inspire, as does this story about a trend called "small wind," and--oh yeah--Sightline's new climate handbook. Oregonians are being listened to about health-care woes. And Washington celebrates a new wilderness area.
Editor's Top Picks
Your editor today is Elisa Murray | View All Today's News
"Wilderness Done the Right Way"
Seattle Times
04/30/2008
Congress sent the long-awaited and long-debated Wild Sky Wilderness plan to President Bush, who is expected to sign it.
But when hikers return this summer to the mountains above Skykomish and Index, they probably won't notice much change--which is exactly the point.
Go to article.
Juneau Powers Down in Energy Crisis
MSNBC
04/29/2008
First, there was a run on energy-efficient light bulbs. When those ran out, people began asking for lamp oil. But when they started demanding clothespins in this land of mist and rain, it was clear Alaska's capital city was caught in a serious energy crunch.
Go to article.
B.C. Carbon Tax to Up Gas Prices 2.4 Cents
CBC BC
04/29/2008
The tax will earn the government an estimated $1.85 billion over three years, but the government will give all of the money back to taxpayers in the form of tax breaks.
Go to article.
Poverty Causing Malnutrition at Reservations
Indian Country Today
04/30/2008
The current state of American Indian health continues to lag behind all other U.S. population groups and poverty clusters in the nation, according to a new study that indicates malnutrition on some reservations is comparable to levels seen in vastly underdeveloped countries.
Go to article.
Views: Speak Up About Oregon Health Care
Oregonian
04/30/2008
In the new millennium, Oregon has lagged behind other states at health care reform. The public process that begins Thursday offers hope that a year from now, Americans everywhere will speak with respect and admiration about the new "Oregon Plan."
Go to article.
B.C. Housing Vigils Are 'Silent' Protests
Vancouver Sun
04/30/2008
The protests started with a group of neighbours taking a stand about losing their 224-unit Little Mountain social housing complex in Vancouver.
Now the stands -- silent vigils to raise awareness of the twin problems of dwindling affordable housing and rising homelessness caused by the city's rocketing real estate prices -- have mushroomed into a movement that is spreading across B.C.
Go to article.
To Save a Species from Extinction, Eat It
New York Times
04/30/2008
Gary Paul Nabhan has spent most of the past four years compiling a list of endangered plants and animals that were once fairly commonplace in American kitchens but are now threatened, endangered or essentially extinct in the marketplace. He has set out to save them, which often involves urging people to eat them.
Go to article.
Idaho State Workers Could Telecommute
Twin Falls Time-News
04/30/2008
Last summer, Gov. Butch Otter sat in his Ford Expedition in traffic on Boise's busy State Street. He wondered aloud to a reporter who was riding shotgun how much gas - and taxpayer money - could be saved if a good percentage of the 19,000 state of Idaho employees worked from home.
It's still a good question.
Go to article.
Portland Bikes to Platinum
Oregonian
04/30/2008
The city is the first major metro area to get top honors for bike friendliness.
Amenities include: Bike lanes, blue bike lanes, sharrows -- "shared-lane marking," in Portland bicycle-speak -- and green bike boxes being painted this spring at about a dozen intersections.
Go to article.
From Trash to Fuel
San Francisco Chronicle
04/30/2008
The Bay Area's Waste Management, North America's largest garbage hauling company, today will announce plans to turn gas from the landfill's rotting contents into a transportation fuel. It would be the largest project of its kind in the world.
Go to article.
