Editor's Take: April 30, 2009
Maggie T, flickr.
Living Like Animals
In an effort to live more gently on the Earth, scientists and engineers are looking to plants and animals to show us how to shelter ourselves without creating pollution and consuming lots of energy. Other urban improvements are underway with streetcar expansion in Portland, downtown revitalization in Vancouver, Wash., and a plea for bike trails in Anchorage.
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Nature's success inspires sustainable living
Oregonian
04/30/2009
A small but growing number of architects, building engineers and scientists who design building products are looking to animals and plants for inspiration to address the challenge of being kind to the Earth while retooling the manmade environment.
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Economy prompts Canadians to change way of life
Vancouver Sun
04/30/2009
The economic downturn has prompted Canadians to make long-term changes to the way they live and spend money, according to survey results released Thursday. People are spending less and buying less on credit, while engaging in less costly activities such as reading, spending time with family, or eating at home.
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Tribes hail $28 million in stimulus for fishing sites
Oregon Public Broadcasting
04/30/2009
About $28 million in federal stimulus money is going toward building new fishing sites for tribes along the Columbia River.
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Feds give $75 million for Oregon streetcar
Business Journal
04/30/2009
Portland's streetcar project will receive $75 million in federal money, providing the final critical link to completing a long-planned extension of the service over the Willamette River. The project could create 1,200 construction jobs over the next two years.
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San Francisco's hybrid taxis a success
Contra Costa Times
04/30/2009
San Francisco's first 15 hybrid taxis, all Ford Escapes, have made it to about the 300,000-mile mark, demonstrating that hybrid technology is more durable than previously imagined. They also saved cabdrivers about $9,000 a year.
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Oregon lawmakers debate health insurance mandates
Oregonian
04/30/2009
House Democrats and Republicans debated a proposed health-insurance mandate on Thursday. One of the bill's provisions requires insurers to pay for hearing aids for children under age 18. An estimated 1,290 children in Oregon have hearing needs that are not met.
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Could energy innovation create a 'green bubble'?
NPR
05/01/2009
In the wake of the housing bubble, that has some asking whether the country is headed for a renewable energy bubble.
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Plugging kids into nature, not iPods
Bend Bulletin
05/01/2009
A field trip to the Deschutes River is part of a growing trend of trying to get students outside in an effort to connect them to their environment, turn off their iPods and cell phones, and learn a little in the process.
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Vancouver, WA, builds new heart for city's core
Oregonian
05/01/2009
Vancouver celebrates the opening of Turtle Place, a new public gathering space, in defiance of vacated Main Street storefronts and office buildings. The city continues its urban revitalization despite the recession.
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Views: Anchorage should approve bike plan
Anchorage Daily News
05/01/2009
The Anchorage Bicycle Plan, completed after years of work and under public review since March, is a wish list of about 150 construction projects that will add new bicycle lanes, bike paths along roads, and miles of greenbelt trails.
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