Local / Regional News

WA 350 civic action crowd at legislature building. Image: 350.org

Fight for climate action in WA state – the short 2024 state legislative session has begun! Here’s how to get involved:

Weekly through March 7 –Join 350.org’s Civic Action Team. Help advance climate friendly and just transition legislation. Sign up to get 2 action emails a week. Every email includes:

Clear information about where important climate bills are in the state legislative process
Links to contact legislators about specific bills at critical moments

The 2024 Washington State legislature has a short session so we have to act quick!

Washington State’s Environmental Priorities Coalition comes together each year to select priorities to advance during the legislative session.

Taking action for housing – Sightline Institute is keeping tabs on promising housing legislation in Washington state.

Help protect the Climate Commitment Act: Sign up for updates on I-2117, the proposed ballot measure to repeal the Climate Commitment Act. Keep climate progress moving forward. Related: Can Washington’s carbon caps survive political backlash? – A Grist report

Jan. 18, 4pm – Webinar on WA state Green Amendment – Join 350 Seattle to learn how a Green Amendment can help address the climate crisis, environmental justice and more. Zoom link

Jan. 18, 6-7:30pm – Humpback whales and bubble communication at Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum. On 3rd Thursdays, the cidery invites speakers on meaningful ecological matters. More info here.

Jan 18 and 25: online Environmental Speaker Series – Western WA University
More information here and subscribe here in order to register and receive the Zoom link for each talk.
— January 18: Marine Mammal Rehab in the PNW: Stories from a new sea-life hospital
— January 25: Protecting Salish Sea Natural Resources through locally-led, incentive-based conservation

National / International News

Image from Conflict and Environment Observatory. Credit: Cpl Neil Bryden RAF, © Crown copyright

Climate cost of war cannot be ignored –More than 5% of global emissions are linked to conflict but countries continue to hide the true scale. Emissions from Gaza war have immense effect on climate, also from the Guardian. And, view military emissions data by country here.

Stop environmental racism on the Rio Grande – sign this petition

National Climate Assessment Webinars – U.S. Global Change Research Program
Webinars feature the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Explore the series here.
— January 18: Agriculture, Food Systems, and Rural Communities
— January 19: Tribes and Indigenous Peoples
— January 22: Coastal Effects and Blue Carbon
— January 23: Oceans
— January 26: Complex Systems and Compound Extreme Events

Alaska’s predators and climate politics – a Grist report

Inspiration

How to Love an Oyster
Over the last decade, at least 39 Olympia oyster restoration projects have gotten off the ground, according to the Native Olympia Oyster Collaborative. Most of the projects have reported success! Read more about the Olympia oyster and restoration efforts across the West Coast (also in audio format).

Clallam County Interfaith winter book read –– This year’s book is Ladder to the Light, an
Indigenous Elder’s Meditations of Hope and Courage by Steven Charleston. It’s a deep and lovely meditation on themes of faith, blessing, hope, community, action, truth, renewal, and transformation. In-person and Zoom groups are forming. Email interfaithclallamcounty@gmail.com to request more information on the book groups.

Solutions

Make a national park in your yard – Find out more at Homegrown National Park. Now is a great time to add biodiversity to your yard. Let’s get North Olympic Peninsula on the map!

Jan. 23, 4pm: Fusion energy – Opportunity and optimism – A Western Washington University webinar. Register here.

Fully recharged – Bill McKibben shares good news about batteries

Will we turn away from fossil fuels in time? – A Washington Post opinion