Research by Topic
This spring marks the release of new editions of introductory economics textbooks, so it’s a good time to update our 2010 review of the treatment of climate change in economics textbooks. As in 2010, some hit the mark while others are wildly misleading, but we’re happy to say that there’s plenty of good news: about half of the books improved their treatment of climate change. read more »
Sightline’s report reviews 16 of the most popular economics textbooks for the treatment of climate change. Grades came in across the board, but 5 textbooks fell into the “not recommended” category. Only one book received a flat-out F. read more »
The term “big business” works as a sledgehammer, when what’s often needed is a more refined tool—if not a scalpel, then perhaps a carving knife. The task for progressive communicators, then,
is to identify powerful language that evokes the negatives behind the “big business” frame, without reinforcing the (false) idea that all business is bad business. read more »
State-by-state map shows that Washington’s low-income families face the nation’s highest tax rates. view graphic »
A map of state-by-state tax rates for high-earning families, showing that Washington State ranks as one of the cheapest places in the country to be super-rich. view graphic »
Performance contracting is a time-tested tool used by local governments to increase energy efficiency, while guaranteeing energy savings are enough to cover the costs of the project. By tying contractor payments to real energy savings, there’s a strong incentive to do projects that yield real results. read more »
On average, Cascadians burn 9 gallons of gasoline and diesel each week, and use enough electricity in homes and businesses to keep ten 100-watt light bulbs burning continuously (with an extra 25-watt compact fluorescent thrown in for good measure). All told, the typical Northwest resident consumes the energy-equivalent of just over two gallons of gasoline every single day. That’s nearly double the energy consumption of more energy-efficient industrialized nations such as Germany, Great Britain, and Japan–nations that enjoy high standards of living despite consuming far less energy per person than northwesterners do. read more »
Solutions for building a green workforce. read more »
Home and business owners looking to make energy efficiency upgrades are often confronted with a jungle of red tape; coordinating between banks, auditors, contractors, and utilities is daunting. An energy concierge program simplifies the process, giving building owners a single point of contact to complete their energy retrofits. read more »
A host of obstacles have stood in the way of realizing the economic potential of energy efficiency projects. Sightline’s review of existing programs from around the region shows a way forward. read more »
