News

Did you know that medicines such as antibiotics, hormones and antidepressants have been found in many of our streams and waterways?

Right now, the King County Board of Health is considering adoption of a landmark medicine return policy. This policy would hold drug manufacturers responsible for paying for programs that remove unwanted or unused drugs from homes. We need a secure medicine take-back program in King County. The drug companies strongly oppose this policy and it's vital that the Board of Health hear from those of us who support medicine take-back. Please send an email to the Board of Health letting them know that you support a medicine return program.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is a massive free trade agreement being negotiated between the United States and ten countries across the Pacific Ocean. Despite the huge impact the agreement would have on the environment, economy, and more, the TPP is being negotiated in near complete secrecy with very little input from the public.

Despite the secrecy surrounding the negotiations, there is a lot we do know about how this pact if completed and approved by Congress would impact our climate and environment.

First, a leaked version of one of the chapters on investment confirms that the TPP will include provisions that give corporations the right to sue a government for unlimited cash compensation, in a private tribunal over nearly any law or regulation that a corporation argues is hurting its expected future profits. While that sounds impossible, to date, corporations such as Exxon Mobil and Dow Chemical have launched more than 518 cases against 95 governments using similar rules in other NAFTA-style agreements. Many of these cases directly attack environmental and climate policies policies, such as efforts to phase-out toxic chemicals, stop dangerous mining practices, or reduce reliance on coal and nuclear energy.

Hot off the press! This issue is jam-packed with great information. Get an update on the Coal-free PSE campaign, our plans to expand Olympic National Park, find outings, and more. Click here to read the Spring 2013 Cascade Crest

We all love Seattle's waterfront because of its great restaurants, entertainment, art and culture -- but mostly for views of our beautiful Puget Sound. It is part of why we choose to live here. But imagine up to 18 coal trains, each a mile and a half long, rumbling through the waterfront daily -- disrupting this vital economic tourist engine, polluting our water with toxic coal dust and making already-congested traffic worse. That is what we will face if coal companies' proposed 50-million-ton coal export terminal in Whatcom County gets built.

It doesn't have to be this way. Join Mayor McGinn and Seattle waterfront businesses at a Seattle Waterfront Business Appreciation event and protect Seattle's waterfront from dirty coal exports!

Wolverines are the heart and soul of Northwest's mountains. Their frost-resistant fur, small frame, and big attitude have long made them both an icon and a legend.

Take action to protect wolverines!

Until recently, wolverines had been completely wiped out from their home in the mountains of Washington's North Cascades. Even these hardy survivors were no match for hunting, trapping and development.

But wolverines aren't known as scrappy survivors for nothing -- they're making a triumphant comeback. And this time, they need your help to survive.

Leaders of city governments and tribal nations across the Pacific Northwest today announced the formation of a new coalition to oppose coal trains and coal exports. The Leadership Alliance Against Coal will work together to raise awareness about the damaging economic, cultural, and health impacts of coal trains and coal exports, as well as take action to protect their communities.

"These coal trains threaten the health of our communities, the strength of our economies, and the environmental and cultural heritage we share," said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. "We will stand together to stop the coal trains."

This Earth Day the Sierra Club's Coal Beyond Coal Campaign has big news to celebrate!

Under the leadership of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, elected officials of city governments and tribal nations across the Pacific Northwest will announce the formation of a new coalition to oppose coal trains and coal exports.

This is an incredibly exciting announcement for as cities and tribes band together they become very powerful in our fight to stop these dirty and dangerous coal export proposals.

Join us for the kick off press event of The Leadership Alliance Against Coal. RSVP now!

Statement on the State Senate 2013-2015 Capital Budget

The Washington State Senate's capital budget proposal misses key opportunities to invest in natural resource projects that create jobs and benefit all communities across the state by cleaning up Puget Sound and other waterways, protecting communities against forest fires and landslides, and promoting outdoor recreation. Washington state deserves more. We need more investment from our legislature in communities across the state. Key points on environmental issues in the Senate's proposed capital budget:

Governor-request and Environmental Priority legislation would convene state leaders to address climate change; now heads to Governor's desk for signature

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 25, 2013 - Governor Inslee's Climate Action bill (SB 5802) passed the State House today on a bipartisan 61 to 32 vote. The bill previously passed the State Senate (37 to 12) and now heads to Governor Inslee's desk for signature. SB 5802 is sponsored by Senator Kevin Ranker.

"The Governor's climate action bill keeps our state in the game - requiring leaders to map out a strategy to grow our clean energy economy and reduce climate pollution," said Joan Crooks, executive director of Washington Environmental Council and co-chair of the Environmental Priorities Coalition. "By taking smart and responsible action now, we position Washington to be economically competitive in the 21st century."

It's an exciting day for Washington. President Obama just designated the San Juan Islands one of five new National Monuments!

Spanning the nation, each of these beloved sites -- from the Rio Grande del Norte in NM, and the San Juan Islands in Washington state, to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument in Maryland and the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio -- represent a unique part of the American story.

These new national monuments will protect a diverse set of culturally and historically significant sites for all Americans to explore and enjoy. They'll also generate significant economic opportunities for surrounding local communities.