Cascadia Scorecard News

Cascadia Scorecard News--September 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 01:29 PM

Toxic flame retardants continue to be a rising threat in northwesterners; the relationship between sprawl and obesity; supersized homes; and events in the Northwest.

An Unhealthy Relationship? Obesity and Sprawl by andrew joel — last modified 02/05/2007 at 11:12 AM

Recent studies show links between good urban design and keeping obesity in check. Oregon's bike- and pedestrian-friendly features may have done just that.

Living Large: The way-too-big-house by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2007 at 06:37 PM

New homes in the United States today have three times as much living space per person than did the homes our grandparents bought. As family sizes get smaller, homes get bigger and use more resources.

Toxic flame retardants continue to be a rising threat by andrew joel — last modified 02/19/2007 at 11:54 PM

New evidence shows that the threats posed by the toxic flame retardants, PBDEs, may now be eclipsing the threat from PCBs.

Profile: Linda Moulder and Jerry White "walk the walk" by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Two Sightline supporters understand ecological limits and sustainable living, And they've put this knowledge rigorously to the test.

Cascadia Scorecard News--July 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 04/19/2006 at 10:37 AM

Monitoring five key species for Sightline's new wildlife index; tips for reducing greenhouse gas emissions on an individual basis; making the right seafood choices.

Sightline Introduces Northwest Wildlife Index by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Sightline is measuring population counts for five creatures that represent some of the region's varied ecosystems. The trends make it clear that human impacts matter a great deal to the future of the region's wildlife. Species include orcas, mountain caribou, wolves, sea otters, and sage grouse.

Positive Change for the Climate by andrew joel — last modified 02/19/2007 at 11:35 PM

In spite of the US federal government's opposition to taking strong action to curb carbon dioxin emissions, northwesterners and local governments are taking action on climate change.

Sea-Worthy Seafood by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

How to make seafood choices that won't harm our oceans? Check out our guides to help make sustainable seafood decisions a snap.

Cascadia Scorecard News--June 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 03/10/2006 at 01:56 PM

Update on emergency contraception policy; community-supported agriculture farms offer ways to share the risks and rewards of farming; Peter Donaldson's one-man Leonardo da Vinci show.

Everyone Should Have a Plan B by andrew joel — last modified 01/23/2007 at 08:34 AM

Widespread acceptance of emergency contraception is currently stalled at the federal level in the US. But the Northwest has greater access to Plan B than other US areas, and Canada is way ahead.

Community Supported Agriculture--Share and Share Alike by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

CSAs and other strategies to reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, increase access to local, organic foods, and conserve rural land.

Are We Entering a New Renaissance? by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Peter Donaldson believes Leonardo da Vinci has a great deal to teach us about how to engender a new Renaissance today, one that shifts our culture in the direction of sustainability.

Cascadia Scorecard News--April 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 01:26 PM

Saving fuel with well-designed communities; Sea otters as a sign of increased ecosystem health; Curbing sprawl while increasing health; profile.

Save Gas, Don't Sprawl by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2007 at 06:37 PM

Good community design can save just as much fuel as a well-designed car engine. To use less gas, we need to pay close attention to how our cities grow and how sprawl affects energy use.

Sea Otters Show Signs of Life by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Sea otters affect many layers of the ecosystem they inhabit, and the success of their return to British Columbia and Washington signifies the beginning of a return to healthy and thriving natural systems.

Walkable Neighborhoods: Taking steps toward health by andrew joel — last modified 07/20/2007 at 02:14 PM

The Northwest has been taking key steps toward curbing sprawl and designing neighborhoods to be walkable. Recent studies show that living in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood improves our overall wellbeing.

Profile: Ethan Meginnes and Alex Loeb by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Ethan and Alex are continuously exploring what it means to live sustainably, and have a simple message: "Get more involved now! Organizations like Sightline help. The more we know, the better we can be. So many choices aren't clear."

Cascadia Scorecard News--March 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 12:35 PM

Cascadia Scorecard 2005 takes a close look at the weaknesses of the region's energy system, and argues that the Northwest should invest in a clean-energy revolution that's already taking shape.

Cascadia Scorecard News--February 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 01:15 PM

Hummer's sales being eclipsed by hybrids; small changes are just the beginning; profile.

Hybrids Hammer Hummers by andrew joel — last modified 08/03/2007 at 11:53 PM

Hybrid vehicles were introduced in 1999, seven years after Hummers, but by July 2004, had outsold them almost six to one. A sneak preview of Cascadia Scorecard 2005 examines energy use in the Northwest.

The Year of 1 Percent by andrew joel — last modified 11/05/2007 at 07:07 PM

2004 was the year of small but significant percentages on a number of heartening measures. Small changes may signify larger shifts that lead to solutions for the Northwest.

Profile: Ann Christensen by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

"It's so important to get the word out. There's so much ignorance about environmental issues," Ann Christensen explains, regarding her decision to promote and follow a sustainable lifestyle.

Cascadia Scorecard News--December 2004 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 12:19 PM

Further steps to improve Cascadia's sustainability; See how Canadians differ from Americans when it comes to trash; Minimizing CO2 during your travel time.

Gifts for the Region That Has Everything by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2007 at 06:42 PM

While Cascadia contains cities that regularly top "most livable" lists, we have problems as well as abundance. If we could give Cascadia a few items that would make a big difference to its future, what would they be? Here are a few solutions for the Northwest.

Product Stewardship: Who's responsible for our trash? by andrew joel — last modified 02/25/2007 at 12:28 AM

By embracing a concept called "product stewardship", British Columbia has adopted a far less regulatory, government-centered approach to dealing with trash, leaving Americans in the dustbin.

Counterbalance Your CO2 From Holiday Travel by andrew joel — last modified 02/19/2007 at 11:38 PM

Flying is one of the most fuel-guzzling forms of passenger transportation. However, when you do fly, you can offset your climate impacts by making pollution reduction decisions elsewhere to offset your carbon dioxide emissions.

Cascadia Scorecard News--November 2004 by andrew joel — last modified 04/07/2006 at 04:55 PM

Free maps show how our communities are changing over time; the impacts of our food choices; Brian and Sharon Beinlich's sustainable farm.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Data Points by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Sightline pays particular attention to the impacts of changing communities over time, and also provides free access and use of our maps that chronicle the changing Northwest from a bird's-eye point of view.

Food for Thought by andrew joel — last modified 08/03/2007 at 11:53 PM

In the season of thanksgiving, Sightline offers some thoughts on the impacts of our food choices.

Profile: Brian and Sharon Beinlich by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

On their farm in rural Washington County, Oregon, Sightline major donors Brian and Sharon Beinlich and their son, Mason, are making sustainability a way of life.

Cascadia Scorecard News--October 2004 by andrew joel — last modified 04/19/2006 at 10:41 AM

Breastmilk found to contain PBDEs; reports from specific states regarding toxic chemicals; what you can do to reduce pollution and PBDEs.

Pacific Northwesterners Contaminated with Flame Retardants by andrew joel — last modified 02/19/2007 at 11:52 PM

A new Sightline study found PBDEs in the breastmilk of all 40 women tested in the Northwest and confirmed that levels of the toxic flame retardant PBDEs have been rapidly building up in people and the environment.

What Your Region Is Doing About Toxic Chemicals by andrew joel — last modified 02/19/2007 at 11:58 PM

See what's happening in your region and how you can get involved in reducing toxics, especially PBDEs.

Taking a Stand Against Pollution by andrew joel — last modified 02/19/2007 at 11:57 PM

Evidence suggests that exposure to toxic chemicals is not a choice made by individuals. The most effective way to reduce contamination may be to stop pollution at the source and use alternatives.

Cascadia Scorecard News--August 2004 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 02:23 PM

A decline in average births means smaller Northwest families; Why slower news is important; Become a part of Sightline's Cascadia Stewards Council.

Population: Good Things in Small Packages by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Declining birthrates among teens and women in their early twenties not only indicates a smaller family size, but also indicates increased opportunities for women.

Cascadia Scorecard News--June 2004 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 02:46 PM

Differences in life expectancy throughout the Northwest; Sustainable forests and good timber practices; Laura Retzler's bike trip from coast to coast.

Lifespan: Why Are the Joneses Living Longer? by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Life expectancy differs not only by country line, but also by county line. The most likely explanation is the discrepancy in income, as we see wealthier areas with access to better health care, among other factors.

What's Green and Good for the Economy? FSC Certification by andrew joel — last modified 08/04/2007 at 12:33 AM

A market-based solution called Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) would keep timber harvest revenues flowing, leave old growth standing, and protect workers.

Profile: Laura Retzler by andrew joel — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

"I just want to live in a city where you don't need to have a car," says Laura Retzler, who moved to Seattle with her husband, Henry, by bike, from Baltimore, seven years ago.

Safety by Design: Sprawl, cars, and your health by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2007 at 06:37 PM

An emerging body of research demonstrates that, when it comes to protecting your family from car crashes, choosing a compact neighborhood can be as important as choosing the right car. Smart growth may enhance your auto safety.

Economic Indicators by andrew joel — last modified 06/01/2007 at 01:30 PM

Rising gross domestic product (GDP), the single most widely reported barometer of economic well-being, often does little or nothing for those who are most in need of an economic boost.

How Green Is It? Navigating Eco-Labels by andrew joel — last modified 05/09/2007 at 09:28 AM

A wealth of online "green guides" have been launched to help you navigate the labels and claims. Here's a quick guide to a few of the best of these resources.

Cascadia Scorecard News--October 2005 by andrew joel — last modified 04/10/2006 at 01:31 PM

Homebuyers might want to think about the relationship between living in a sprawling area and the likelihood of getting in a car crash; why we aren't getting the full economic story; navigating eco-labels.

Slow-motion Revolution by Leigh Sims — last modified 12/13/2006 at 12:35 PM

What makes the impossible become inevitable? Sightline executive director Alan Durning sets the campaign for a sustainable economy and way of life beside similarly ambitious causes of the past, such as emancipation and suffrage, and finds reasons for optimism.

Slow-motion Revolution, Page 2 by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

What makes the impossible become inevitable? Sightline executive director Alan Durning sets the campaign for a sustainable economy and way of life beside similarly ambitious causes of the past, such as emancipation and suffrage, and finds reasons for optimism. Page 2.

Slow-motion Revolution, full article by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/20/2007 at 11:53 AM

What makes the impossible become inevitable? Sightline executive director Alan Durning sets the campaign for a sustainable economy and way of life beside similarly ambitious causes of the past, such as emancipation and suffrage, and finds reasons for optimism.

Cascadia Scorecard News--December 2005 by Leigh Sims — last modified 04/10/2006 at 01:32 PM

Alan Durning's essay on sustainability's slow-motion revolution; new animated maps of 100 years of growth in Oregon cities; and community-connected forestry.

The Season of Giving Back by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

A list of gifts to encourage community involvement and connection—instead of consumption.

Sightline Profile: Peter and Pam Hayes by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Longtime Sightline friends Peter and Pam Hayes, who manage 800 acres of sustainably managed forests in Oregon, are pioneering a strategy called community-connected forestry.

Cascadia Scorecard News--February 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 07/05/2006 at 02:49 PM

Tidepool.org has become a project of NEW; hopeful news about teen birth rates; landscaping for storm water drainage.

Tidepool is now a project of Sightline! by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

We’re pleased to announce that in mid-January, Tidepool, the daily Pacific Northwest news service, became a project of Sightline!

Rising Hope: Teen birth rate at record lows by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/29/2006 at 05:49 PM

The cause of Cascadia's decline in teen births may be rising confidence and hope among Cascadia’s girls.

My Backyard Bog: Smart landscaping for rainy days by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/06/2006 at 12:04 PM

Landscaping for rain water minimizes environmental impacts, keeps your home dry, and can create a backyard haven out of your saturated soils.

Cascadia Scorecard News by Leigh Sims — last modified 02/07/2008 at 02:18 PM

Sightline's almost-monthly enewsletter, the Cascadia Socrecard News updates you on the latest research, commentary, and releases.

Who's responsible for the trash? Part II by Leigh Sims — last modified 05/16/2006 at 07:06 PM

 

Personal Scorecard by Leigh Sims — last modified 04/10/2007 at 06:42 PM

Ways to improve your personal sustainability score on energy use.

Cascadia Scorecard News--May 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 07/05/2006 at 02:46 PM

New animated maps of 100 years of growth in Oregon; living car-lessly; Sightline's new website.

Cascadia Scorecard News--July 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 09/04/2006 at 12:23 PM

Cascadia Scorecard 2006 out now: New animated wildlife maps and index; car crashes by the numbers; solutions for healthy communities.

Cascadia Scorecard News--September 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 10/22/2006 at 02:31 PM

A roundup of the property intiatives coming to a town near you; This Place on Earth now available online; Northwest events.

WWII Liberator’s Life: AFS Ambulance Driver Chooses Peace by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/29/2006 at 05:51 PM

Longtime Sightline friends just published an autobiography titled: WWII Liberator's Life: AFS Ambulance Driver Chooses Peace. The book chronicles Norman Kunkel's experiences as a young man serving in the ambulance corps during WWII that caused him to return home as a lifelong advocate for peace.

Elections 2006: This land is whose land? by Leigh Sims — last modified 02/25/2007 at 01:04 AM

The defining controversy of the early 21st century in the Northwest states may well turn out to be the debate over property, community, and fairness. In 2006, these questions will get a hearing at the ballot box in six Western states.

Northwest Land-Use Initiatives in 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 02/04/2007 at 10:49 PM

There's a rash of land-use initiatives on the ballot this fall. Here's what's happening in your region.

Got Measure 37 stories? by Leigh Sims — last modified 09/11/2006 at 03:56 PM

 

Efficiency Pays by Leigh Sims — last modified 10/22/2007 at 08:57 AM

Five ideas on making it easier for consumers to make better decisions about energy and their home.

Cascadia Scorecard News--October 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/29/2006 at 12:18 PM

Does efficiency in your home pay?; Oregon's winners and losers on property rights; car-less series.

Life, Liberty, and Property Values by Leigh Sims — last modified 11/05/2007 at 07:06 PM

The stunning defeat of so-called property rights ballot measures across the Northwest last month may show that we northwesterners grasp our connectedness: how our individual freedom is protected by democratic standards. Read about property rights and the meaning of freedom.

Not Business as Usual: Michelle Long by Leigh Sims — last modified 12/17/2006 at 08:41 PM

An interview with Sustianable Connections' executive director, Michelle Long. Bellingham's Sustainable Connections is forging a new model for business as usual.

Beyond Sesame Street by Leigh Sims — last modified 12/13/2006 at 09:12 AM

A mom’s favorite urban kids books. It's relatively hard to find good books that tell the story of the typical daily experience of a child—and a parent—traffic, crowds, and, well, city life. Here are a few favorites.

Cascadia Scorecard News--December 2006 by Leigh Sims — last modified 12/15/2006 at 08:57 AM

Cascadians connect freedom and property rights; a list of kids' books on urban life; profile of Bellingham, Washington's Sustainable Connections and Michelle Long.

The Facts about Getting Around by Leigh Sims — last modified 04/10/2007 at 06:37 PM

Here at Sightline, we like counting things. 2006 was a year full of interesting statistics, so we thought we’d share a few of the more telling stats we ran across last year about how we get around and the fuel we use to do it—from our food to parking to gasoline, of course.

No More Idling by Leigh Sims — last modified 08/03/2007 at 11:53 PM

Parked cars and empty seats in moving cars is under-utilized capital. Here's how to make use of it..

Cascadia Scorecard News--January 2007 by Leigh Sims — last modified 02/20/2007 at 09:52 PM

Two high-tech solutions to car sharing; the best of fascinating facts on getting around and the things that fuel us.

Your Money or Your Job by Leigh Sims —