en-us Copyright Sightline Daily - all rights reserved newsfeeds@sightline.org newsfeeds@sightline.org Most recent Solutions headlines from Sightline Daily, the Northwest news that matters http://daily.sightline.org Plone http://daily.sightline.org/logo.gif 427 69 Researchers believe the day is coming when the electricity you use will be your own. Instead of relying on large central generating stations - hydroelectric dams, coal plants and the like - scientists say we're moving toward an era of "personalized solar energy." http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/11/personalized_solar_units_could.html Climate Economy Energy Environment Solutions Sustainable Living Oregon United States 11/05/2009 Oregonian According to the latest UN population projections, the next 40 years will see an almost doubling of urban populations. This growth will offer both unprecedented challenges and great opportunities to cities around the world. http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=c9023686-bb53-4fd6-869e-9aa20fd01d87&k=4539 Climate Economy Environment Food & Farms Solutions Sprawl & Transportation Sustainable Living Water British Columbia US Northwest United States 11/04/2009 Vancouver Sun Backyard cottages will be allowed in single-family zones throughout Seattle under an ordinance approved unanimously by the City Council. City Councilman Tim Burgess said it would help people provide housing for family members or to offer low-cost rental units. "That's a positive way to create affordable housing in our city." http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411769_cottages02.html?source=rss Economy Policy Solutions Sprawl & Transportation Sustainable Living Washington 11/02/2009 Seattle Post-Intelligencer Gresham, OR was chosen for the first collaboration with 250 University of Oregon students and professors working toward a more sustainable, livable city. Students will analyze suburban development, possible designs and locations for new buildings, development of a brownfield site, incorporating natural light into transit hubs and ways to make schools more sustainable. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/10/university_of_oregon_program_j.html Energy Environment Solutions Sprawl & Transportation Sustainable Living Oregon 10/27/2009 Oregonian President Barack Obama announced $3.4 billion of taxpayer investment in so-called smart grid projects, and about $30 million of that is headed to Oregon. The improvements are meant to make energy use more efficient and include things like meters that charge homeowners less for power that's used when overall electricity demand is low. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/10/oregon_gets_30_million_in_stim.html Climate Economy Efficiency Energy Environment Green Jobs Policy Solutions Oregon 10/27/2009 Oregonian The city of Portland will advance toward a long-held vision by opening another urban park in the heart of downtown, called Director Park. The lead landscape architect says the space presents interesting challenges, sitting atop an underground parking garage, on uneven ground. http://news.opb.org/article/6103-portland-opens-director-park-downtown/ Solutions Sprawl & Transportation Sustainable Living Oregon 10/27/2009 Oregon Public Broadcasting President Barack Obama made a pitch for renewable energy Tuesday, announcing $3.4 billion in government support for 100 projects aimed at modernizing the nation's power grid and delivering energy more efficiently. The projects include installing "smart" electric meters in homes, automating utility substations, and installing thousands of new digital transformers and grid sensors. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2010142682_apusobamasmartgrid.html?syndication=rss#at Climate Economy Efficiency Energy Environment Green Jobs Policy Solutions United States 10/27/2009 Seattle Times After eight town hall meetings, more than 400 responders and some 2,500 comments and suggestions, Portland's Climate Action Plan is ready for review. Brought on by climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions, it covers everything from public safety in the case of more severe weather to improving sidewalks and roadways in underserved communities. http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/10/citys_climate_plan_is_ready_fo.html Climate Environment Solutions Sustainable Living Oregon 10/28/2009 Oregonian About 5,000 people, including a shouting, sign-waving group of secondary school students, demonstrated on Vancouver's Cambie Bridge as part of the International Day of Climate Change. They were among millions of people around the world who took part in weekend demonstrations demanding government action on climate change. http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Thousands+rally+action+climate+change/2141813/story.html Cap and Trade Climate Efficiency Energy Environment Food & Farms Forests Green Jobs Green Taxes Pollution & Toxics Solutions Sustainable Living British Columbia 10/25/2009 Vancouver Sun