The Seventh Annual Dirty Martinis for Clean Water Fundraising Event is on for Friday, September 13th. I think I'm safe in assuming you like your martinis dirty and your water clean so, yes, this event is for you. This year the location is different, on…
Yogi Berra put it best: "it's like déjà vu all over again." The second proposed coal export facility in Washington - the first being Cherry Point - is getting more attention now as Millennium Bulk Terminals in Longview wants to build and operate a terminal…
I have a friend named Andrew. When we were younger, he would swing his arms like a windmill yelling "here comes Hurricane Andrew!" and I would run away from his flying fists. This certainly impacted his development as years later, he would drink excessively and…
What's a better way to spend a Monday night than at a Spokane City Council meeting? Especially, when the future of a clean Spokane River is on the table. Tonight, council will consider a proposed new ordinance that would encourage property owners and developers to…
Over the years I’ve been asked many times about how to get into environmental journalism, or, alternately, how to save environmental journalism. The answer is always: I have no f’ing idea. For one thing, as I mentioned the other day, my path into professional journalism…
Props to the City of Spokane has they received an excellence award for its integrated solid waste management system by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The award will be presented at SWANA’s annual conference on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Long Beach, California.…
Check out more funky eco-art from James Joyce. (Warning: Some is NSFW.)
The makeover continues at Riverfront Park as Avista launches a three-month project to improve two of my favorite spots in Spokane: the iconic, art-deco Upper Falls Powerhouse and the City's Theme Stream Bridge on the west edge of Riverfront Park. This will include repainting the…
As part of the video series in The User's Guide to Energy special report, check this edition on what goes into crude oil. It's short so for a more detailed look, you can read Kyle Thetford's analysis in The Atlantic.
The public is invited to comment on proposed changes to state air quality standards for specific pollutants so they align with federal standards. The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking comments about incorporating the updated standards in Washington’s federally required State Implementation Plan. The plan…
Climate Progress compiled a list of a few of our favorite things that are impacted by climate change. When we usually talk about carbon pollution, the data centers around rising seas but this is a different kind of list. "These things can seem distant and…
Check out this graphic which takes on how modern farming techniques and government subsidies have changed corn and the health effects. From Take Part: So where do the corn growers get all of that dough? A lot of it is doled out in the massive…
“Lights! Lights!” The amber flashers of the first pilot truck in a convoy bearing a gigantic piece of processing gear destined for the oil sands of Alberta, Canada rounded a distant corner in the darkness at the edge of the Nez Perce Reservation. The cry…
David Douglas: A Naturalist at Work is nearing the end of its run at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. The last day will be Sunday, August 25 after which it will be packed up and shipped to the Washington State Historical Museum in…
It's hard to believe but almost two years ago, our dear friend Michael Chappell passed away. An avid golfer, it makes sense we celebrate his life and keep his message and memory alive with a day on the greens, August 24th. Two organizations will be…
I try not to be TOO glib and mention celeberties throwing their weight behind environmental issues but I have to make an exception for Julia Louis-Dreyfus because she's forever Elaine Benes to me. So I'm convinced. No tar sands for you!
In lieu of the annual construction season for the Coeur d'Alene Basin Cleanup, the Environmental Protection Agency is offering an up close and personal tour of their projects tomorrow. Here's the itinerary: 12:00 Noon – Meet @ Wallace Inn Parking Lot 12:25pm DEPART - to…
Your help is needed to keep the trail clean during Centennial Trail Volunteer Days. The remaining dates are August 17th, 25th and 31th. Join the Friends of the Centennial Trail for some light volunteer work to improve the trail heads by painting gates and bulletin…
The City Of Spokane released an update on all of the work happening this summer to develop an Integrated Clean Water Plan. In short: There's a lot of work happening! And they need to hear from you. If you want to learn more and engage…
Blackfish is one of the most anticipated documentaries of 2013 and it will open August 23rd at the Magic Lantern. The film explores what may have caused Tilikum, a 12,000-pound orca, to kill three people, including veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. However, the…
The Climate Hot Map, from the Union of Concerned Scientists, is a google map displaying climate trouble spots worldwide. Creators say, "The greatest concentration of global warming indicators on the map is in North America and Europe because that is where most scientific investigation has…
A plan to improve downtown sidewalks has been selected for funding by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council through a grant that targets pedestrian improvements. The Downtown Spokane Core project designs and builds pedestrian repairs and improvements. These are intended to reduce barriers for disabled persons…
If you oppose coal trains rumbling through Spokane on their way to the Gateway Pacific terminal there's reason to celebrate. After 125,000 comments from Washingtonians, the Department of Ecology said it will study a broad array of environmental impacts before determining if development should move…
In her first speech as the new adminstrator of the EPA, Gina McCarthy addressed a crowd at Harvard Law School. From the AP: “Can we stop talking about environmental regulations killing jobs? Please, at least for today,” said McCarthy, referring to one of the favorite…
Check this map showing bike and pedestrian improvements accomplished since the City Of Spokane Valley adopted a Bike and Pedestrian Master Program (BPMP). Mike Basinger, their Senior planner, said "in many instances, the adopted BPMP has strengthened the City's ability to leverage grant dollars to…
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