Author: olyclimate

We seek a safe, prosperous, sustainable future for residents of the North Olympic Peninsula by addressing climate change.
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Presentation on Elwha Legacy Forests — April 24

Website: https://elwhalegacyforests.org/oat-powerplant-tcb23/Contact: jwendyrae@gmail.com (831)818-0265 What is a Legacy Forest? -by Elizabeth Dunne, Earth Law CenterThey are naturally regenerated 2nd growth forests and aren’t monoculture plantation forests, generally last harvested prior to 1945. They contain large-diameter trees, complex forest canopies and understories, biodiversity, and old forest characteristics, including snags and large wood on the forest floor. …

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May 7: Forestry talk by OCA’s Ed Chadd, OUUF Sanctuary

This event has been rescheduled from its original April 1 date Our Forests, Our Climate, and Our Communities: Weaving a Healthier Web Sunday, May 7, 12:30 pm Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sanctuary 1033 N. Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA- Good parking - open and free to all - Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, will …

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Carpe Diem Moment on Forests and Climate Policy

"Include mature forests … not just old growth" "Nationwide MOG protections would establish U.S. leadership on the Paris Climate Agreement (natural sinks and reservoirs) and the Glasgow Forest Pledge to end deforestation and forest degradation. It would demonstrate progress toward 30 x 30 and present a global model for effective forest and climate response. "Most …

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Retrofitting Existing Homes for Energy Efficiency

Lots of great ways to save energy and save money at home Our local energy expert and OCA member, David Large, recently gave this great presentation on money-saving energy incentives and home retrofitting tips. Check out the Zoom recording below. Retrofitting Existing Homes for Energy Efficiency - The passcode is: ^?GISu0*

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Hot Off the Wire — 3/26/23

Local / Regional News April 2: Forests, Climate, Communities--Weaving a Healthier Web Aldwell forest is being logged near the Elwha River watershed. Image: Forest2Sea. This special presentation by Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, focuses on forest management and recent initiatives that see environmental protection as an opportunity to recreate rural communities and economies …

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Lovely Poem by Rena Priest, Washington State Poet Laureate

"These Abundant and Generous Homelands" Rena Priest, Washington State Poet Laureate Watch Rena Priest, a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation and Washington State Poet Laureate, read "These Abundant and Generous Homelands" poem, written to the theme of “A Vision For A More Equitable 2023” at the 2023 State of the State address during the joint legislative session. …

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April 2 event postponed-Sunday Forestry Forum

Stay tuned for a new date and time- thanks! Our Forests, Our Climate, and Our Communities: Weaving a Healthier Web Stay tuned for this event: Sunday Forestry Forum at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sanctuary!  1033 N. Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA.Good parking and the event is free. Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, will speak …

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Paul Stamets Supports Legacy Forests

Paul Stamets at Elwha River overlook "Our old growth forests are undervalued – we should not be deceived that short term gains in selling lumber accurately reflects the value of the intact biodiversity resident within these ancient stands. In particular, varieties of  Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis aka Laricifomes officinalis) are now known to have potent antiviral properties. But …

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New coastal risk assessment for Port Townsend

A North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council grant helped local communities advance their planning for addressing the impacts of climate change. The City of Port Townsend used the grant money to develop this sea level rise and coastal flooding risk assessment, an important first step in climate preparedness.

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Join Youth Climate and Conservation Rally Olympia Jan 13!

Youth conservation leaders are organizing a spirited rally in Olympia, WA, on Jan. 13 to advocate for salmon, orcas, breaching the Lower Snake River Dams, upholding tribal rights, and sustainable renewable energy.  Details are below.  NOOP is an event partner with the youth group organizers. If you can be in Olympia for this great event, please join …

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$$ to improve your home, reduce your bills!

From OCA member Dave Large, here's a list of incentives for reducing home-related energy usage offered by the federal government, Washington State, the City of Port Angeles, and the Clallam County PUD. Incentives cover many aspects of a home, from simple to more complex, including insulation, windows, space heating and appliances, photovoltaic, solar hot water, …

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Hot Off the Wire — 12/31/22

Local / Regional News In one month, three cities proclaim rights for Southern Resident Orcas Three Puget Sound area cities — Port Townsend, Gig Harbor and Langley—have issued proclamations declaring inherent rights for the region’s endangered Southern Resident Orcas. Read more here. Inflation Reduction Act incentives for energy efficiency How much can you save with …

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Pledge allegiance to the trees

Written by OCA board member Bob Vreeland: I pledge allegiance to the trees, which help give me the oxygen I breathe, And to the roots that hold the soil, so salmon streams do not get spoiled. Biodiversity under their shade, with clean water and a stable climate for all.

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Clean energy incentives on the way, from the IRA!

From the American Solar Energy Society: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the largest climate bill inU.S. history. A main focus is tax credits and rebates for clean energy, electric vehicles, and efficiency updates. Below are some highlights of how this bill can benefit you and/or your business:

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Global Earth Repair Rally

Presentation “Planetary Regeneration – State of the Art Strategies and the Global Earth Repair Movement” – Michael Pilarski will give a presentation on the best methods to re-green the planet, re-hydrate drylands, and stabilize the climate. The Global Carbon Project has calculated that ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture innovations are already sequestering an additional 10.6 million …

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Hot Off the Wire — 11/12/2022

COP27 News NRDC Experts and Events at COP27 The Al Shaba Mosque and Old Market in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt /Shutterstock The 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), taking place on November 6–18, 2022, in Egypt, brings together world leaders—presidents, governors, mayors, CEOs, philanthropy, and civil …

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Hot Off the Wire — 10/29/2022

Solutions New Interactive Map, Webpage Highlight Local Climate Plans Interactive Map The interactive map above includes icons for Washington State jurisdictions we are aware of that have adopted climate-related documents. Read more Claiming Power: Stories of Rural Communities and Clean Energy https://youtu.be/bcfFSpKkq6I Jessica Plumb, an Olympic Peninsula-based filmmaker, is investigating the clean energy transition in …

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Hot Off the Wire — 10/22/2022

Stop WA State from Logging Legacy/Old-Growth Forest in Elwha River Valley  Join the Center for Responsible Forestry and the Earth Law Center on Sunday, Oct. 23, 11-2pm, to visit a unique legacy forest in the Elwha River Watershed, just off of Hwy 101. (Sneak peak photos here). In joining us, you will get to connect with this special forest, see old-growth trees, learn …

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Hot Off the Wire — 10-16-2022

Regional Actions and Events Hearing Postponed -- October 26, 20221:30 pm -- Jefferson County Courthouse The hearing for the CSE-Stop lawsuit against DNR for failing to consider impacts during SEPA review of logging projects has been postponed. All are welcome to attend. To review the pleadings in this case, just visit the litigation webpage and scroll to the …

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Hot Off the Wire — 8/14/2022

Solutions Baby Boomers Mobilize Around Climate Change Hazel Chandler (right) of the Elders Climate Action Network and Moms Clean Air Force.Photo by Adriana Zehbrauskas for Moms Clean Air Force The older generation’s organizing experience, voter turnout, and spending power make them a powerful force for change. Read more by Danielle Renwick Regional Actions and Events Washington DNR …

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Hot Off the Wire — 7/31/2022

Schumer-Manchin bill aka The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Critiques from Rachel Fazio and Dominick DellaSala Old growth rain forest by Eldergeek -- Pixabay Let’s toast to some success! However, here are critiques of the new bill from Rachel Fazio of the John Muir Project and Dominick DellaSala of the Wild Heritage Project, both sponsored by the Earth …

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Schumer-Manchin bill

Let’s toast to some success! However, here are critiques of the new bill from Rachel Fazio of the John Muir Project and Dominick DellaSala of the Wild Heritage Project, both sponsored by the Earth Island Institute: Eldergeek Dominick DellaSala <dominick@wild-heritage.org> wrote: it's missing mature forest protections - a major problem - it has tax credits for biomass - a …

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Pledge: Fight On

So I invite you to join me in this pledge: I will fight on, even as the waters rise and the deserts advance. I will never give up, never be passive or defeatist, even as the beauty of this living world of ours is eroded and degraded. I reject survivalism and other self-centered approaches, and …

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Hot Off the Wire — 7/21/2022

Information Session Thursday July 21, 2022 11 am -- 1:30 pm Defining Old Growth and Mature Forests The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and the Interior jointly published a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on plans around federal old-growth and mature forests in response to Executive Order 14072: Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies.  You may …

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State Schools Chief: Decouple timber harvest from school construction funding

State Schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal points the way to a better future for our students, our rural communities, and our forests. Now it's up to our state legislators to follow Reykdal's lead. Read his memo Reykdal's press conference is being held virtually July 19 at 1:30 pm on TVW and OSPI's Facebook page, and can be watched live …

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Port Angeles adopts Climate Resiliency Plan

Three years in the making, the Port Angeles Climate Resiliency Plan has been adopted and posted online. Next comes implementation of the Plan, including short-, medium-, and long-term priorities, cost estimates, ordinance language, etc. This phase will be facilitated by a grant project of the North Olympic Development Council. Kudos to Council and Planning Commission …

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One Final Meeting for City of Port Angeles’ Climate Resiliency Plan

Three years in the making, the Port Angeles Climate Resiliency Plan is finally ready for prime time! OCA Steering Committee member Bob Vreeland wrote a compelling letter to the PDN about the proposed Climate Resiliency Plan for the City of Port Angeles. Bob was also quoted in a comprehensive article by PDN's Ken Park in …

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Not Too Late

We know the difference between the best and worst case scenarios matters. We know that the future is being decided in the present. We know that a lot of people are overwhelmed by doom and gloom. It is not too late. At the same time, we are not here to avoid the worst news. We …

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Hot Off the Wire — 5/15/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Protect the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge from industrialization – Protect the Peninsula’s Future A corporation wants to industrialize the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge to grow oysters for its corporate gain. The corporation intends to keep the birds from their feeding grounds. Climate plan process kick-started by OCA in 2016 …

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Port Townsend Chase Bank Protest — Fridays, starting May 13, from 11 am to 1 pm

A small group of enthusiastic activists demonstrated on Friday, May 13, in response to a national call at Chase Bank locations, in advance of their May 16 shareholder meeting. We were only 10 people in Port Townsend, but the big art made an impact. We spread out at the intersection of Kearney and Sims Way, …

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Hot Off the Wire — 5/8/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Presentation: Save Our Wild Salmon – Amy GulickDate: Tuesday, May 10, Rose Theatre, Port Townsend Learn more about the 2022 legislative session – Washington Conservation VotersDate: Tuesday, May 10, 5:30 PM Forest Climate Alliance Gathering! – PNW Forest Climate AllianceDate: Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22, Oregon Snake …

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Clallam County’s District 1 Commissioner Mark Ozias’s heartfelt speech for Earth Day 2022

Reading part of Amanda Gorman's poem, "Earthrise," Commissioner Ozias shared his vision for our county by recognizing our common cause and emphatically explaining how the people's government must be part of the solution. Many changes are happening already to shrink our county's carbon footprint and prepare for climate change, Ozias noted at the Earth Day …

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Hot Off the Wire — 4/17/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Earth Day Beach Cleanup – Washington Coast SaversDate: Saturday, April 23rd, 1:00 – 5:00, varied locations Earth Day: Invasive Plant Removal at Fort Flagler – by Friends of Fort FlaglerDate: Saturday, Apr 23, 2022, 9:00 AM Meeting: Protecting Old Growth Forests – Washington State Sierra Club and Sarah AdlooDate: …

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OCA comments on the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF):

The Biden Administration is currently developing an initiative to address economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. Olympic Climate Action submitted a letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative requesting the inclusion of a Climate Peace Clause, and permanently ending Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), as well as for the development process to be …

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Save Washington’s legacy forests to save ourselves

Board members of the Center for Responsible Forestry (to whom OCA donated $5000 last month to continue their excellent work) just published this piece in the Seattle Times. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), announced it is setting aside a small amount of older forests for carbon storage instead of timber harvest. At the same time, the …

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Hot Off the Wire — 4/10/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Building electrification online field meeting – Climate SolutionsDate: Monday, April 11, 12:00 -2 pm Book Presentation: Indigenous Voices on the Changing Earth – by Dahr Jamail and Stan Rushworth for Earth MinistryDate: Sunday, Apr 24, 1:00 -3 PM Build the Climate Vote: Write letters to climate voters – Greenpeace …

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Hot Off the Wire — 3/27/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Open house: The Groundwork Project – Economics for Peace InstituteDate: Wednesday, March 30 Climate on Tap – Co-sponsored by Local 20/20 Climate Action, Jefferson County Public Health, and Finnriver CideryDate: First Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30 We Are Puget Sound: Discovering and Recovering the Salish Sea, photo exhibit …

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Hot Off the Wire — 3/20/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Representative Derek Kilmer Virtual Town Hall – Washington Conservation VotersDate: March 21, 5:45 PMClick on the link to register for the meeting. Virtual Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference 2022 – Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington UniversityDates: April 26-28, 2022The conference includes a presentation by OCA’s John Cambalik on citizens’ …

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Hot Off the Wire — 3/13/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action econ4peace Openhouse • Wednesdays, March 30 - 4 to 6pm– Economics for Peace Institute, Chimacum Grange Presentation: salmon recovery and forestry – 350.orgDate: March 14th @ 6pm-7:30pm PT Two Year, Three-County Study to establish baseline indicators of community well-being and ecosystem stewardship– Economics for Peace InstituteWhen: Wednesdays at the …

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Mitigation Ideas for Regional Climate Planning

The North Olympic Development Council (NODC) received a $170,000 grant to coordinate climate action planning with local governments, building on the 2015 Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula. OCA has representatives on the steering committee for this process. In preparation for the first regional planning workshop in February 2022, OCA compiled a …

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Hot Off the Wire — 3/6/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Webinar: Youth Climate Activism: The Next Generation of Climate Stakeholders– Climate Xchange. Time: March 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Urge Your Representative To Make It Happen For Snake River Salmon! – WA Sierra CubThe science today is beyond dispute: protecting these fish from extinction requires restoring the …

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Hot Off the Wire — 2/27/2022

by tierra del fuego Take Action Ideas and solutions to lower our transportation footprint! – hosted by Port Townsend High School’s Students for Sustainability, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 7:00pm - 8:30pm Effective Local Organizing: When and How to Bring your Voice to Local Decision Making – by Loretta Seppanen with Thurston Climate Action TeamDo you …

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Why All the Excitement about Evs?

OCA member Tony Billera makes the case With 80 Zoom attendees on January 27, Tony reviewed history of electric cars, the climate crisis, the need to reduce CO2 from transportation, battery technology and recycling, the ownership experience, cost savings comparison with internal-combustion engines, sharing networks, and purchase incentives. 1.         Tony Billera's Slides-Buckle Up! 2.         Article in the …

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