From the Pope’s encyclical to the Paris climate talks to steadily growing traction for a price on carbon pollution, and in communities across the region where people are saying “no” to coal and oil infrastructure, folks in our neck of the woods have been talking about climate change more than ever! And you’ve been savvy about it too, arming yourselves with tested … Read more
Wow, what a big year for Sightline! We helped pass a historic democracy reform initiative in Seattle, dove into urban policy issues to create more affordable housing, and continued our fight towards making polluters pay in Cascadia and beyond. Plus, the Thin Green Line grew stronger than ever this year, thanks to Sightline exposing the … Read more
One-hundred-ninety-five nations reached an agreement in Paris this month. Interestingly, the landmark international accord draws a big fat highlight (and maybe a circle and some stars in the margin) across the work that activists and leaders are doing in the Pacific Northwest: not just the work to keep fossil fuels in the ground and make … Read more
Since when did tiny houses need their own TV show? Average residential space per person in the United States has soared nearly 400 percent since 1950. In his keynote address at the 2015 Build Small, Live Large conference at Portland State University last month, Sightline Institute director Alan Durning discussed how living small has not … Read more
Editor’s Note December 2022: Thinking about buying a Christmas tree? We’re bringing back this popular post weighing in on the great debate: pine vs. plastic, which tree is the better option for the planet? And if you decide to go for the ultimate sustainable option this year, check out our ten DIY trees that reuse and … Read more
We don’t need to know the science of climate change inside and out in order to care or want to act to fix the problem. Non-scientists count on the experts to get the details right. But having a handle on the basics can be a game changer. Why? Gaps in our understanding about the mechanisms … Read more
For Immediate Release: December 16, 2015 Contact: Eric de Place, eric@sightline.org, 206-447-1880 x105 The end of the oil export ban could be a game-changer for the Northwest. The dismantling of a 40-year-old national policy to support energy independence could trigger a tsunami of crude oil moved by train or pipeline, increasing the risks of local fires … Read more
In the wake of a historic agreement at this month’s Paris Climate Change Conference, the United States is expected to take the significantly regressive step of lifting a 40-year ban on crude oil exports, and the Northwest will find itself directly in the path of the oil industry’s plans to dramatically increase crude oil production … Read more
‘Tis the giving season! This week, we at Sightline share our favorite charities in Cascadia and beyond. We hope this helps inspire your end-of-year giving. Enjoy! Alan To me, perhaps the single most egregious failing of the United States (among several) is that ten times as many people with schizophrenia and other forms of severe mental illness are … Read more
Right now, leaders from around the world are meeting in Paris to discuss the future of the earth’s climate. Other writers have covered what is at stake in Paris, including: An explainer by Brad Plumer at Vox A Q&A by Nell Greenfieldboyce at NPR An excellent four-minute video from Grist about the 22 years of … Read more