News items for September 29, 2023

BC-062a-Robson Valley by Rod Brazier used under CC BY-ND 2.0

• 1. BC Supreme Court: Mineral claims require First Nations consultation

  “The court’s decision makes clear what we knew all along: BC owes a duty to consult Gitxaała and other Indigenous nations prior to granting mineral claims in our territories, and it is breaching that duty.”

  The Narwhal First Nations, Mining

• 2. Want to spur green energy in WY? Aim for the billionaires

  One man’s quest to lure climate investment from the wealthy enclave of Jackson underscores how the climate law works: It runs on rich people.

  New York Times Climate Action, Climate Policy

• 3. Views: Indigenizing our cities

  Truth and reconciliation requires Indigenous knowledge shaping how urban settings should look, feel and remind.

  The Tyee First Nations, Urban Planning

• 4. Finding the legacy of the Move Seattle transportation levy

  What comes next when a “transformational” levy didn’t transform Seattle streets? With nine years of projects, getting a sense of what the levy actually did will be central to figuring out where the department is heading next.

  The Urbanist Policy, Transportation

• 5. First Nation fights to save salmon in hot water

  The federal government is supposed to manage salmon populations— but Lake Babine Nation says its approach is far from precautionary. The nation has closed a fishery itself for the sake of the salmon and people who rely on them.

  The Narwhal First Nation, Policy, Salmon

• 6. Should grizzlies return to WA’s North Cascades?

  Federal agencies again want your input on a proposal to bring grizzlies back to the deep forested valleys of the North Cascades that the big, brown bears once called home.

  Seattle Times Fish and wildlife, Forests

• 7. Despite climate promises, insurance companies are still covering coal

  A new report finds that five major global insurers are still backing US coal mines, even when they’ve promised not to.

  Grist Coal, Coal Finance, Insurance

• 8. 250 million is the new 40, for mammals

  Mammals may already be halfway done on Earth. Over the 250 million years since the first mammals diverged from reptiles and birds, we’ve come to live on nearly every inch of the planet. But the end to that reign may come much sooner than traditionally thought.

  Oregon Public Broadcasting Biodiversity, Climate Change

• 9. Biden calls for ‘abundant’ Columbia Basin salmon populations

  President Biden has directed federal agencies to restore healthy and abundant wild salmon populations to the Columbia River Basin. The presidential memorandum also called for tribal treaty and trust obligations to be honored.

  Oregon Public Broadcasting First Nations, Policy, Salmon

• 10. How to fight climate change with parking lots

  Placing solar canopies over parking lots could be a worthwhile investment for many cities. And as more countries are moving toward retrofitting parking spaces with solar, we look at what it could mean in the US.

  Vox parking lots, Solar power

More News from September 29, 2023

• Inside the race to clean up America’s abandoned oil wells

  With a little art, a little science, and a lot of luck, the niche well-plugging industry is hoping to pick up steam.

  Grist Oil Wells, Waste