Cascade Chapter

Keep Unwanted Pharmaceuticals Out of Our Water and Homes?

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:34:57 -0700

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.

Create Environment-Themed Art to Represent Our Chapter at the Fremont Solstice Parade

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:25:16 -0700

Sunday, May 19th, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, May 19th 2013

Please come out and make art with us for our "Procession for Our Future" coal train vs. sustainable energy ensemble in the Fremont Solstice Parade! We'll be at the Powerhouse, 3940 Fremont Ave N. from 10-4 on Sunday, May 19th.

Our Chapter's float will feature a coal train driven by skull masked people that transforms into beautiful murals when we implore the audience to help us stop it (note that no words or letters will be allowed in the parade). There will be stilters with windmill headdresses, solar panel costumes, animal masked and otherwise dressed up kids of all ages, beautiful fluttering butterflies, flags and banners, herring and salmon puppets, a band, and more! We need your help to create the best float in the parade!

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: The Biggest Free Trade Pact You May Never Have Heard of

Tue, 14 May 2013 01:13:09 -0700

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.

We're Hiring! Apply to Be Our Outings Program Intern

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:54:01 -0700

Hike, kayak, climb and enjoy the outdoors! The Sierra Club Washington State Chapter is seeking a 6-month, part-time intern to work with our Outings Program to recruit new outings leaders and participants, promote conservation through our outdoors program, and develop communications and data management systems to ensure a sustainable volunteer-lead program for the future.

Position Description:

The outings Intern, in collaboration with the Chapter and Group Outings Committees and the Chapter Communications Committee, is responsible for advancing the outings program through community and media outreach.

The Spring Edition of the Cascade Crest Newsletter Is Out!

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:00:35 -0700

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

Help Wolverines Make a Comeback!

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:32:25 -0700

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.

New Coalition of Regional Leaders Formed to Oppose Coal Exports

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:15:51 -0700

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."

The Earth Day Stand Up With the Leadership Alliance Against Coal?

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:56:49 -0700

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!

Senate Capital Budget Misses Key Opportunities for Investment in Washington

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:02:35 -0700

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:

Book Launch Celebration for The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:18:06 -0700

Monday, April 22nd, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Apr 22nd 2013

On this Earth Day, come and celebrate the release of Kate Davies' new book, The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement. This is the first book to offer a comprehensive examination of the environmental health movement, which unlike mainstream environmentalism, focuses on protecting human health and well-being from toxic chemicals and other hazardous agents. By placing human health at the center of its argument, this movement has achieved many victories in community activism and legislative reform. In The Rise of the U.S. Environmental Health Movement, Kate describes the movement's historical, cultural and ideological roots and analyzes its strategies and successes. By examining what works, this book provides insights into what social movements can do to advance positive social change.

The Elwha: A River Reborn Book Launch Celebration

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 19:00:39 -0700

Wednesday, May 8th, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, May 8th 2013

Journey into the Northwest's legendary Elwha River Valley to discover the people, places, and history behind the world's largest dam removal project, an unprecedented bet on the power of nature. Featuring national award-winning science reporting from The Seattle Times and published by The Mountaineers Books, Elwha: A River Reborn is based on extensive interviews, field work, copious historical research and rare period images, and photography conducted over 16 years and continuing today. Getting cold, wet, and dirty, author Lynda Mapes and photographer Steve Ringman made trip after trip into the back country of the Olympics with scientists to learn how the Elwha River Valley ticks.

WA Climate Action Bill Passes State Legislature

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:15:20 -0700

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."

A Victory for the San Juans: Join Us in Thanking President Obama

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:08:05 -0700

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.

Remembering Late Chapter Chair Andy Lewis

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:00:09 -0700

Friends, it is with great sadness that we report our beloved Washington State Sierra Club Chapter Chair, Andrew Lewis, passed away suddenly on February 23, 2013. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife of 21 years, Maaike Bakker, and their 18-year-old son, Peter. Please visit our page devoted to Andy to read about his extraordinary legacy of service to environmental causes in Washington State, leave your memories, and learn how to make a donation to the Sierra Club in his name.

Please click here to visit our Memorial page for Andy Lewis.

Sierra Club Statement On Senate Budget Proposal Introduced by Senator Patty Murray

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:08:00 -0700

The Sierra Club's Seattle-based Deputy National Organizing Director Bill Arthur released the following statement in response:

(Seattle, WA) - Today, Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray released her FY2014 budget plan.

"At a time when too many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet while the climate crisis is raging around us, the last thing any budget should be doing is making things harder for our families and our planet. Budgets are statements about our priorities as a nation -- and Senator Murray's proposal has those priorities right.

Big oil and coal billionaires got their budget yesterday from Paul Ryan. But, today, Patty Murray and her Democratic colleagues in the Senate introduced a plan that reflects the needs of everyone else. This proposal demonstrates a strong commitment to the American clean energy economy, recognizing that investments in clean energy support three times as many jobs as oil and coal. At a time when extreme weather is rapidly becoming the new normal, this budget provides much-needed funding to help the Environmental Protection Agency mitigate climate disruption and keep our air and water clean. And - unlike the Ryan budget - Senator Murray's plan doesn't sacrifice our wild places to do it, providing for no new drilling while fully-funding programs to protect our lands and wildlife.