http://daily.sightline.org daily 1 2008-04-17T08:17:20Z http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080430 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. No publisher cclaassen 2008-04-30T17:26:04Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080429 A U.S.-imposed tariff on Canada's timber has turned into a billion dollar slush fund. Sen. Maria Cantwell wants to follow the money. While talking timber, it seems the study of forestry is an endangered species -- WSU is cutting its program. Recycled products are the way to go now, as Hoquiam buys 100 percent recycled, local paper for city offices. No publisher cclaassen 2008-04-29T16:47:37Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080428 With Tax Day over, Americans will soon find rebates in our mail boxes. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) suggests we spend our checks on energy-efficient products, from light bulbs to washing machines. Our government, however, isn't offering incentives to invest in conservation. What are you going to do with your money? Living on Earth found most people are buying more stuff. No publisher kristink 2008-04-28T21:33:28Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080425 More than 40 cities in the Seattle area signed on to a plan that emphasizes growth in urban cores, and discourages sprawling exurbs, the Seattle Times reports. Meanwhile, Everett is trying to ban big, bad subdivisions on the city's outskirts. One super-sized development the city is battling would include 6,000 houses and a golf course. Yikes! No publisher kristink 2008-04-25T17:37:28Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080424 Recession got you down? Maybe you're cursing your grocery bill, or the chronic pain at the pump. Good news comes from California. No, not Silicon Valley. It's the East Bay, where a green-collar job rush is helping people beat poverty and revitalize down-and-out neighborhoods. The American Prospect offers a great feature on what happens when a resilient community thinks big. No publisher cclaassen 2008-04-24T16:40:56Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080423 American workers are in the news today, for better or worse: struggling salmon fishermen, an equal pay bill, a Supreme Court ruling on fair pay, and gruesome details illustrating how corporations are "squeezing workers every which way in their drive to push down labor costs." No publisher kristink 2008-04-23T17:13:04Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080422 British Columbians live longer than most people in the world, according to new numbers. Meanwhile, a big UW study finds that life expectancy for many Americans is declining. The trend is especially prevalent in rural areas -- including some parts of Washington -- and among poor women. One of the leading causes of health problems -- no surprise -- is obesity. No publisher cclaassen 2008-04-22T16:35:14Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080421 On Friday, the New York Times published one of the most startling articles I've read of late. Haitians are eating mud mixed with sugar to stop the gnawing in their stomachs. Here, grocery prices are rising dramatically. Meanwhile, Seattle floats a local food plan that could help the city's poor, the area's organic farmer, and the health-conscious shopper. No publisher kristink 2008-04-21T18:56:02Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080418 Remember when the water-cooler talk was "$3 a gallon?" Now gas-price sticker-shock is routine. But our habits are changing. A new report by my colleagues at Sightline Institute found that northwesterners are leading the nation in declining gas consumption. "[It's] like every driver taking an annual, five-week holiday from their cars," Sightline research director Clark Williams-Derry told King 5. No publisher cclaassen 2008-04-18T17:51:29Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080417 "Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who's the greenest of them all?" Many Portlanders would expect to see a reflection of their fair city. Not so, says the Willamette Week. Stumptown may be known as the sustainability hottee, but other cities are passing her up. In related news, the Oregonian reports that suburban Clackamas County is getting serious about climate action. No publisher kristink 2008-04-17T17:10:32Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080416 Indian Country News reports on efforts to jumpstart wind-energy projects on tribal lands, including a Seattle company aiming to help tribes to become principal owners of turbines. Also: Washington's Rossi revives a dead Viaduct solution; the Oregonian reports on residents' economic struggles; and Canada considers labeling a chemical in plastics "toxic." No publisher cclaassen 2008-04-16T17:54:40Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080415 I love Tuesdays in the newspaper business. Of course, there's the New York Times' science section. A Tuesday sleeper is the Portland Tribune's Sustainable Life section. This week, find out how pollution makes us fat, trace Earth Day's evolution, and read about a guy who tried to ditch the grid--but learned that the simple life is actually pretty complicated. No publisher kristink 2008-04-15T18:04:01Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080414 Can compassion translate to action? The Dalai Lama's Seattle visit provided a forum for this question, while the Green Festival shone a light on the many meanings of "green." Also: The local food economy takes a wild ride. No publisher kristink 2008-04-14T17:57:45Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080411 Every spring, the government mulls it over: to fish or not to fish? This year, don't bother digging your rod and reel out of the closet. There's no salmon fishing off the California and Oregon coasts. And if you like a little wild king on your dinner plate, be prepared to pay for it. No publisher kristink 2008-04-11T18:43:14Z Edition http://daily.sightline.org/editions/20080410 Portland's Willamette Week scored an exclusive interview with Hillary Clinton during her tour of Oregon last weekend. The presidential candidate talks about Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's health care bill, timber payments, LNG, and, of course, what tattoo she'd like to get. No publisher kristink 2008-04-10T18:49:39Z Edition