CS Blog
CS Journal
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.
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.
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.
Memo to the Very Serious People: Resistance isn’t futile and irony can be delicious
Since the fight started brewing in the Northwest on coal exports, we have heard from many self-anointed "Very Serious People" who constantly tell us that our actions don’t matter.
The engines that power our clean energy schools of the future
Speak up now: tell the WA State Legislature to fund the Jobs Now Act to improve schools, create jobs and spur local economic development.
Urban ecosystem services: the promise of green infrastructure
Some of the benefits of urban green infrastructure include significant contributions to the livability of our metropolitan regions, and in the case of carbon storage, help in responding to the urgent need to drive down CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.
Community energy advice from Massachusetts
Massachusetts announced the first six grantees of a state program designed to help local communities identify and implement strategies in energy efficiency and renewable energy to meet their local energy needs.
California: gold standard for climate and clean energy
In the absence of national climate and energy policy, US local and regional leaders are developing the climate and clean energy policies, strategies, and projects required to reduce carbon emissions.
Oregon Business Association Chair makes case for Clean Fuels Program
One of the Oregon Business Association's core beliefs is that a healthy environment and economic development go hand in hand. And an excellent illustration of this “healthy-environment, healthy economy” synergy is Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program.
New milestones move aviation biofuels forward
On Thursday, SkyNRG announced that they have become the first aviation biofuel provider worldwide to certify their entire supply chain, from “feedstock to flight,” as sustainable. Last Friday, a KLM commercial flight using SkyNRG-sourced biofuel travelled from Amsterdam to New York.
