Environment
Environment

Does Cuteness Count? A Cost-Benefit Analysis Encourages Backers Of A Northwest Sea Otter Return
A study of sea otter restoration in British Columbia is giving encouragement to a group that wants to bring sea otters back to the Oregon Coast. The research team led by the University of British Columbia analyzed the rebound in sea otters off the coast of Vancouver Island. Continue Reading Does Cuteness Count? A Cost-Benefit Analysis Encourages Backers Of A Northwest Sea Otter Return

U.S. Senate Passes Big Funding Boost To Conservation Fund, Help For National Parks Maintenance
The Great American Outdoors Act would permanently allocate $900 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which finally lapsed almost two years ago. Continue Reading U.S. Senate Passes Big Funding Boost To Conservation Fund, Help For National Parks Maintenance

Absent From Stimulus Packages: Overhauling Energy And Climate Programs, As Past Ones Have
Climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are not part of the $3 trillion in U.S. relief packages passed so far — despite a long history of funding energy programs after economic crises. Continue Reading Absent From Stimulus Packages: Overhauling Energy And Climate Programs, As Past Ones Have

As EPA Steps Back, States Face Wave Of Requests For Environmental Leniency
The EPA does not require companies to notify federal regulators if the pandemic interferes with pollution monitoring or reporting. That leaves states alone on the front lines of pollution control. Continue Reading As EPA Steps Back, States Face Wave Of Requests For Environmental Leniency

Washington And Oregon Join Multi-State Lawsuit Over Federal Fuel Emissions Rollback
Oregon and Washington have joined 26 states and cities in suing the Trump administration over a new rule that weakens emission standards for cars and trucks. Continue Reading Washington And Oregon Join Multi-State Lawsuit Over Federal Fuel Emissions Rollback

Research From Northwest Scientists Shows Negative Climate Change Effects On Old Growth Forests
Deforestation, climate change and the disturbances it can exacerbate – like wildfires, extreme droughts and insect outbreaks – are decimating old growth forests across the globe. That means forests worldwide are filling in with younger and shorter trees, according to a new study. Continue Reading Research From Northwest Scientists Shows Negative Climate Change Effects On Old Growth Forests

Federal Rollback Of Environmental Rules Continue Despite Pandemic. Opponents Cry Foul
The Trump administration is rushing to finalize some of its biggest environmental rollbacks ahead of November’s election. Some affected groups say they’re too distracted by the pandemic to engage. Continue Reading Federal Rollback Of Environmental Rules Continue Despite Pandemic. Opponents Cry Foul

Herd Of Fuzzy Green ‘Glacier Mice’ Baffles Northwest Scientists Studying Them
Moss balls seem to roll around glaciers in a coordinated way, and researchers can’t explain why the whole group moves at about the same speed and in the same direction. Continue Reading Herd Of Fuzzy Green ‘Glacier Mice’ Baffles Northwest Scientists Studying Them

Our Pandemic Habits Cut Carbon Emissions, But It’s Not Clear They’ll Last
Energy demand plummeted because of the pandemic shutdown. A big question is whether new habits like telecommuting and flying less will endure, and mean lower oil consumption in the future. Continue Reading Our Pandemic Habits Cut Carbon Emissions, But It’s Not Clear They’ll Last

Pandemic Gives Pacific Northwest Whales A Respite From Din Of Underwater Noise
American and Canadian marine scientists — and one talented dog — are seizing an unexpected opportunity presented by the coronavirus pandemic. They are trying to establish whether Pacifc Northwest whales benefit from the current drop in boat traffic and underwater noise. Continue Reading Pandemic Gives Pacific Northwest Whales A Respite From Din Of Underwater Noise

Federal Environmental Policies During Pandemic Raise Concerns Across Northwest
State agencies and advocates have been alarmed by federal environmental policy rollbacks that continue unabated by the global coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading Federal Environmental Policies During Pandemic Raise Concerns Across Northwest

Washington State Steps In To Regulate Water Temps Behind Federal Dams To Help Salmon
Water temperatures are expected to increase as the climate warms. Rivers saw a glimpse of what the future could hold five summers ago, when low water flows and hot temperatures killed thousands of salmon. Continue Reading Washington State Steps In To Regulate Water Temps Behind Federal Dams To Help Salmon