CLIMATE CHANGE
January 15, 2023 – Washington State Climate Bills 2023. This lists bills related to climate, along with recommendations from meteorologist & oceanographer Wayne Olsen on which ones to support and which ones to oppose. Links are included for expressing your support or opposition to specific bills.
November 17, 2021 – Climate Change Information Sources
UPDATE on Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan: On September 16, 2021, the Lacey City Council voted to adopt the TCMP and included it within the Lacey Comprehensive Plan. Implementation and funding of the 30-year Plan will become part of Lacey’s normal annual budget cycle. See Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan for details.
September 30, 2021 (originally posted June 4, 2020) – Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP). The plan was adopted by the Lacey City Council on Sept. 16, 2021. The TCMP has been developed over the last two years by the County Commissioners and the Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater City Councils as a coordinated plan to address Thurston County residents’ share of global greenhouse gas emissions. We all must reduce our emissions to near zero by 2050 to help ensure a livable planet for our descendants. Much more action is needed at the global, national, and state levels, but success will not be achieved without actions by local level governments and each of us.
All four jurisdictions accepted the completed TCMP in early 2021, and we are now in Phase 3, the implementation phase of this 30-year plan. Lacey is currently scoping TCMP action items to determine how it will implement the Plan, how much it will cost, and how Lacey will fund it. The Lacey City Council will soon vote on formal adoption of the TCMP for incorporation as part of their Comprehensive Plan. What can you do to help this process? Read this updated article to learn about the TCMP, important dates, and what you can do NOW to ensure that the Plan is fully implemented.
REDUCING USE OF PLASTIC
April 19, 2019 – What happened when I tried to break up with single-use plastic. (Source – The Seattle Times)
February 16, 2019 – 9 Ways to Cut Down on Plastic. (The New York Times)
August 30, 2014 – California plastic bag ban would be first state-wide ban in the nation. (Source – Huffington Post)
July 1, 2014 – Plastic bag ban took effect in Lacey on July 1, 2014. The Thurston County Public Works Department provides information about the ban and about environmental and health impacts from plastics. (Source – Thurston County Public Works Department)
ON THE NOV. 6, 2018 BALLOT – WASHINGTON INITIATIVE 1631, THE CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN ENERGY BILL
The November election offers each of us a very important opportunity to help preserve our environment — by voting YES on Washington’s Initiative 1631, the Clean Air and Clean Energy bill.
This initiative collects a fee per ton of carbon emissions produced by major carbon polluters, such as the big oil companies and utility companies that still use coal and gas. The revenue collected — estimated to be a billion dollars a year – will be invested in clean energy such as wind and solar, healthier forests, clean air, and clean water across our state. A broad coalition of more than 200 organizations created and actively supports this initiative. It will reduce millions of tons of carbon pollution, create thousands of jobs, improve public heath and safety, enhance the transition to clean energy, and promote social and economic justice.
With YOUR help, Washington will become the only state in the USA to put a price on carbon pollution. Thus, since Washington will become the first state to do so, we will lead the way for other states to follow. Please ask all your friends to join the effort to pass this crucial initiative by voting YES on 1631.
Reference: YesOn1631.org
Carolyn and Roy Treadway
ON THE NOV. 6, 2018 BALLOT – INTERCITY TRANSIT PROPOSITION 1
Proposition 1 seeks voter approval to increase sales and use tax by four-tenths of 1 percent (0.4%), or 4 cents on a $10 taxable purchase, to maintain, improve and expand public transportation services.
If approved, Intercity Transit (IT) will preserve current services, expand bus routes into new areas, increase the frequency and operating hours of local and commuter bus services, make capital and technology improvements and expand specialized transportation services for seniors and those living with disabilities.
If rejected, IT will need to cut service by 15 percent.
Reference: Information about Proposition 1
STORES IN AUSTRALIA ABANDON BEE-KILLING PRODUCTS
In Australia, Coles and Woolworths are abandoning an insecticide product which contains neonicotinoids, which have been shown to be harmful to bees.
Reference:
FRENCH COURT SUSPENDS DOW PESTICIDES
In November 2017, a French court suspended the license for two pesticides made by Dow Chemical, citing uncertainty over environmental risks including their effects on bees.
Reference:
Reuters, Nov. 24, 2017 – French court suspends two Dow pesticides over potential harm to bees
ROUNDUP INGREDIENT SHOWING UP MORE IN PEOPLE’S BODIES
The latest study to look at the long-term effects of the popular weed killer Roundup raises questions about the herbicide’s possible contributions to poor health in certain communities.
Reference:
TIME Health, October 26, 2017 – A Weed Killer Is Increasingly Showing Up in People’s Bodies
STORMWATER POLLUTION IS KILLING SALMON
Researchers have found that stormwater pollution is causing death rates so high that some populations of wild coho salmon are at risk of local extinction.
Reference:
TESLA’S SOLAR ROOF TO COST LESS THAN A REGULAR ROOF, SAYS ELON MUSK
Tesla and SolarCity developed a solar roof system that integrates the solar cells and modules inside the structure of the roof rather than just panels on a roof.
They are is using a high-efficiency solar cell, which will be manufactured by Panasonic, covered with a “color louver film”, which allows cells to blend into the roof while exposing them to the sun above, and finally a tempered glass on top for durability.
The product is offered in 4 different styles: Textured Glass Tile, Slate Glass Tile, Tuscan Glass Tile, and Smooth Glass Tile.
The new product was unveiled on October 28, 2016, at a joint event with Tesla and SolarCity in Los Angeles.
References:
March 24, 2017 – Tesla Solar Roof
November 17, 2016 – Tesla’s solar roof to cost less than a regular roof, says Elon Musk
CLIMATE CHANGE – MEET THE CREDO CLIMATE HEROES
Along the lines of Paul Hawken’s Blessed Unrest mentioned in our October 2015 Green Team meeting, CREDO (a social change organization that supports activism and funds progressive nonprofits) has named 63 activists and activist groups as Climate Heroes. These are ordinary people, like you and me, saving the world. Meet these 63 inspiring activists organizing to take on the fossil fuel industry.
After the list of names you can see photos and descriptions of the Climate Heroes. Be sure to note Rod Tharp from Olympia. Also note that the first and the last persons on the list are from Seattle, that the fourth from last is from Camano Island, and that there is a group in Astoria, OR trying to stop export terminals and pipelines. Many across the country are fighting those trains and pipelines too. Read and be inspired!
INCREASING DEMAND FOR GREEN RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES
In June 2015 the New York Times published an article about the growing demand for Green Retirement Communities, citing examples of communities (mostly in the U.S. Northeast and Northwest) with Energy Star ratings for appliances, LEED certification, use of drought-resistant plants, recycled materials, large windows that let in more natural light, and other features for a healthier and more energy-efficient environment.
Read the full article at www.nytimes.com/2015/06/06/business/demand-and-expectations-grow-for-green-retirement-communities.html
PROPOSED ENLARGED OIL TERMINALS IN GRAYS HARBOR
October 2015 – There is a public Environmental Impact Hearing (EIS) on October 8 in Aberdeen about the proposed enlarged oil terminals in Grays Harbor. Please attend the hearing if you can, and encourage others to attend. But if you can’t go, you can send written comments to Westway and Imperium Expansion Projects EISs or submit your “comments” on the following form. The comment period ends October 29.
https://public.commentworks.com/cwx/westwayimperiumcommentform/
For more information on the Westway and Imperium oil terminals and issues of transporting crude oil, see the following, and click on the various links:
http://www.standuptooil.org/grays-harbor-comments/
GMO CROPS THREATEN MONARCH BUTTERFLIES
October 2015 – The monarch butterfly is in serious trouble. The spread of GMO crops and accompanying pesticides have been wiping out the young monarch’s key food source, milkweed.
For more information, see:
Chart showing decline in Monarch population, from MonarchWatch.org:
http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/campaign/the-details/
Tech Times article: Monarch butterfly population dying due to loss of milkweed habitat
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/8068/20140606/monarch-butterfly-population-dying-due-to-loss-of-milkweed-habitat.htm
How you can help:
Sign the Friends of the Earth petition to tell the Fish & Wildlife Service to protect Monarch Butterflies under the Endangered Species Act.
http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18427
PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MOVEMENT NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON OCTOBER 14
October 2015 – Join a diverse coalition of communities of color, workers, immigrants, activists and everyday folk at 5 p.m. on October 14 to build upon last year’s wildly successful People’s Climate March in New York to send a message that will be heard from Seattle to Paris: Our communities are united in the fight against climate change.
More information:
http://peoplesclimate.org/action/seattle-city-hall/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1470067483301320/
BIG WIN FOR BEEKEEPERS AND BEES AS COURT VOIDS INSECTICIDE
Sept. 10, 2015 – A United States appeals court ruled that federal regulators erred in allowing an insecticide developed by Dow AgroSciences onto the market, canceling its approval and giving environmentalists a major victory. The insecticide contains sulfoxaflor, a neonicotinoid subclass.
Learn more at this New York Times article.
GLYPHOSATE (HERBICIDE IN ROUNDUP) LINKED TO CANCER
March 2015 – The cancer-research arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that glyphosate (an ingredient in Roundup), the world’s most widely used herbicide, is probably carcinogenic to humans. But the assessment, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, has been followed by an immediate backlash from industry groups.
Read a Scientific American article on this topic.
Read the text of the WHO statement on Glyphosate.
PESTICIDES
December 11, 2012 – Pesticides: Now More Than Ever
The article Pesticides: Now More Than Ever by Mark Bittman in the New York Times Opinionator is a great editorial on the dangers of pesticides and why buying organic food is a really good idea.
ENERGY USAGE
October 9, 2014 – Tip for conserving energy drain from refrigerator
The biggest energy drain from your refrigerator comes when you open the door and let the warm air in. To avoid that, pre-visualize what it is you want and grab it quickly. The fewer times you open the door, the less energy is wasted.
June 16, 2014 – Cable TV boxes become 2nd biggest energy users in many homes
This Los Angeles Times article by Ralph Vartabedian discusses the high energy usage by cable TV boxes even when they are turned off.