Cascadia sustainability report card

We’re geeking out on the Cascadia Scorecard from the Sightline Institute , a comprehensive Northwest sustainability report that is frequently updated with graphics and shocking figures.


For the uninitiated, the site studies the region known as “Cascadia,” merely as a transnational cooperative identity because of ecological similarities rather than advocating a new sovereign state. (That would be fun though because of the economy, right?) The scorecard looks at six areas: Health, population, economy, sprawl, wildlife, energy, and pollution.

Let’s look at the worst trend: Energy . Oregon, Idaho, and Washington spent nearly $30 billion for 2008 on imported oil, coal, and natural gas, more than four times our energy spending in just a decade. Scary. That’s rounded to $2,500 per person in the region which upon first glance seems unfathomable but remember the key is we’re buying from somewhere else , straining our local economy, and spending it on gas for homes, business, power plants, and transportation.



Washington: $16.6 Billion. Oregon: $9.4 Billion. Idaho: $3.6 Billion.

But the study demonstrates areas where progress is made and presents solutions like a cap-and-trade. Ultimately, the goal of the report card is to achieve “long and healthy lives, shared economic prosperity, and a legacy of thriving nature” in the Northwest. Can’t argue with that.

scorecard.sightline.org