Editor's Take: March 03, 2009
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Tough Economic Choices for Tribes
The economy has communities throughout the Northwest facing some tough decisions. Faced with scarce jobs and rising poverty, tribes in Montana are rethinking their resistance to coal mining. But some tribal leaders are looking to renewable energy as a source of prosperity. Meanwhile, what does a new bill in Washington mean for the state’s renewable energy targets?
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For MT Tribes, Economic Needs Collide with Tradition
USA Today
03/04/2009
For decades, many members of the tribe have resisted coal mining. Now, increased demand for coal is reigniting debate over energy development among one reservation's 4,500 residents. It's a conflict between tribal traditions and economic self-sufficiency that has long divided people here and on other reservations across America with coal, oil and gas and other mineral reserves.
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Bill Would Gut Washington's Clean Energy Targets
Seattle Times
03/03/2009
The state Legislature is considering major changes to Initiative 937, a state initiative approved by voters in 2006 that forces large Washington utilities to buy more renewable power. Utilities and large industrial-power consumers are pressing for change. Environmentalists and wind-power proponents say it would gut the initiative.
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Putting their Best Footprint Forward
Oregonian
03/04/2009
In the fiercely competitive outdoor industry, projects don't often bring together Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Keen, REI and dozens of other companies -- especially to improve one another's products. But shoe, clothing and gear makers are collaborating on a system to measure their environmental footprint. They hope to cut back on waste and toxins, use more eco-friendly materials and share progress with consumers.
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Health-Care Disparities Shortchange Minorities, Poor
Seattle Times
03/04/2009
Virginia Mason Medical Center provides half as much charity care as Swedish Medical Center, though their main campuses are just a few blocks apart. Residents of Southeast Seattle live about twice as far on average from the nearest hospital than do people in Fremont, Greenlake, Shoreline or Ballard, according to a new report Tuesday.
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Metro Vancouver Says No to Caged Eggs
Vancouver Sun
03/03/2009
Metro Vancouver will encourage restaurants, caterers and the public to support a regional stand against caged egg production by choosing free-range or certified organic eggs wherever possible. The regional district agreed Friday to support a motion to encourage Metro Vancouver residents, as well as both privately and publicly run restaurants, to offer free-range eggs.
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Obama Overrides Bush Rule on Species Act
Los Angeles Times
03/03/2009
President Obama on Tuesday overrode the Bush administration on a key step in applying the Endangered Species Act, restoring a requirement that federal agencies consult with experts before launching construction projects that could affect the well-being of threatened species.
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Schwarzenegger a Green-Tech Ambassador Overseas
San Francisco Chronicle
03/03/2009
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took his crusade to curb global warming to the world's largest technology trade show this week, urging international business leaders to jumpstart new jobs with green innovations that reduce energy use.
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The 'Organic' Stamp - Does It Mean Food Is Safer?
New York Times
03/04/2009
Although the rules governing organic food require health inspections and pest-management plans, organic certification technically has nothing to do with food safety. But many people who pay as much as 50 percent more for organic food think it ought to.
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Suzuki: Science Shows Climate Change is Certain Threat
Georgia Straight
03/03/2009
Why does the public often pay more attention to climate change deniers than climate scientists? Why do denial arguments that have been thoroughly debunked still show up regularly in the media?
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Views: No More Free Lunch on the Columbia
Oregonian
03/04/2009
It is sad that the states must turn to killing sea lions, but every other effort to protect endangered fish has failed. We know that sea lions are not to blame for the demise of Columbia salmon. The fish runs collapsed because of dams, overfishing and habitat destruction. But we also know that the Northwest has no choice now but to address every killer of wild salmon.
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