CS Blog
CS Journal
Guest Blog: Our urban forest's carbon footprint
With a better understanding of the climate benefits of cities, we can properly manage and invest in their resources.
Guest Blog: Mycorrhizal Fungi - a big deal for biocarbon
For over a decade, scientists have argued that mycorrhizal fungi should be included in models of global carbon cycling, but they have struggled with exactly how to incorporate below-ground microbial processes into vegetation and carbon models. Scientists have historically referred to the processes occurring within the soil as a “black box.”
Guest Blog: Where has all the warming gone?
Whether you are a climate scientist or not, it’s interesting that global temperatures rose so quickly from 1970 to 2000, yet haven’t changed for the past 15 years. If all these nasty greenhouse gases are on the rise, why isn’t temperature also increasing?
An extra special session in Washington State
On May 13, the Washington State legislature started its thirty-day special session, an addition to the 105 day “regular” session that ended last month. Unable to pass a budget during the regular session, the legislators are back at it after taking a couple of weeks to meet with constituents in their home districts. Let’s take a look at some of the key budget issues that Climate Solutions is following:
The 400 ppm threshold
We’ve got to get busy on biocarbon, the second climate solution, globally restoring nature’s capacity to absorb CO2 from the air and store it in living soils, plants and trees.
The age of consequences
Our successes over the past year and over the past 15 years demonstrate that our region has the political clout, the economic power, and the technical expertise to achieve our goals.
Thank you for making our Annual Breakfast a success!
On Monday, May 13, guests from all over the Northwest and the country helped us exceed our fundraising goal. This generosity will help us continue to build a clean energy economy where the environment is protected and economic prosperity is available to all.
From the window seat
I love flying. I’ve recently spent some time flying back and forth to the East Coast. We’re all familiar with that trip. A long flight across the country to an Eastern hub and then up or down the coast to your final destination.
Guest Blog: Why oyster farmers believe in climate change
On Earth Day 2013, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee declared, “First we had the canary in the coal mine. Now we have the oyster in the ocean for climate change.” The governor is right to issue this clarion call: unless we change business as usual, we might not be able to enjoy one of life’s greatest pleasures – fresh oysters on the half shell.
More livestock to save the climate?
Allan Savory claims in his recent TED talk, which has garnered over 1 million views, that increasing livestock herds on arid grasslands and managing them to better mimic nature’s wild grazing herds can have an enormous climate benefit.
Secretary Mabus: building a culture of clean energy innovation in the Navy
The 75th Secretary of the Navy is not central casting’s vision of an energy revolutionary. But maybe that’s what makes Ray Mabus such a stirring and effective advocate for clean energy.
Eco triptych: compost giveaway, corporate breakaway, and climate rideaway, in a day around the Bay
There was a certain artistry and synergy in the sequence of the three places that were calling me that I couldn’t help but think of my day as a triptych, the 3-paneled format often used in photography, stringing together separate images that are variants on a theme.
Guest blog: Sticky business: glomalin provides the ties that bind
Often described as “soil superglue,” this protein helps bind soil particles together in aggregates, the structures that protect organic matter, hold moisture, and improve soil tilth. The presence of glomalin is also an indicator of a vibrant and vital underground ecosystem.
Keeping the energy retrofit dream alive
As the 2013 Affordable Comfort Inc. National Home Performance Conference kicks off in Denver, CO, it is clear that U.S. communities are far from empty-handed when crafting energy efficiency retrofit programs.
Biocarbon in forest soils: A lot more than meets the eye
Knowing exactly how carbon is stored in forests can help inform decisions by those tasked with forest management in terms of climate change.
Guest blog: How a living building helped our business grow
I’ve always said I can’t be a hippie because I can’t grow my hair that long. Yet Earth Day 2013 is a special one for our company.
“Farm to Fly” renewal affirms importance of aviation biofuels industry
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have extended an agreement for their agencies to work together toward generating one billion gallons of renewable aviation fuels by 2018.
Oregon BEST funds solar-activated stormwater treatment technology
"This project is a great example of Oregon's leadership in applying cleantech innovation to water technologies," said David Kenney, President and Executive Director of Oregon BEST. "As clean water becomes more of an issue, companies like Puralytics will play a greater role, so we're pleased our Commercialization Program is helping this company develop a new product that has such potential."
Building natural carbon: five policy principles
The biocarbon imperative to begin drawing down CO2 from the atmosphere calls for efforts that will take decades. What is most important is to begin taking the steps that can be accomplished now.
Biocarbon Innovators: Converge at the Northwest Biocarbon Summit!
On June 10, we will host the first Northwest Biocarbon Summit, a special opportunity to connect, collaborate, learn from each other, and hatch plans to help build the Northwest into a leading laboratory and incubator of biocarbon solutions.
