Weekend Reading 5/1/15

Nick

A new map from Pembina Institute highlights over 14,000 jobs from clean energy in B.C.​ and allows users to explore 156 renewable energy projects currently in operation or under construction. This first phase of the map specifically examines jobs from clean energy supply; the next phases will examine the bigger clean energy picture, including jobs in energy efficiency, green buildings, and clean transportation.

Serena

“There was a wreck on the highway—and the wreck is our agricultural system.” Remember that truck full of bees that overturned on I-5 in Seattle a few weeks ago? From my ever thoughtful honey provider, Urban Bee Company, a beautifully written, sobering, big-picture call to action on the real bee emergency.

Baltimore is the latest city to rise in answer to state violence and police brutality. From Ta-nehisi Coates, reflections on nonviolence:

When nonviolence is preached as an attempt to evade the repercussions of political brutality, it betrays itself. When nonviolence begins halfway through the war with the aggressor calling time out, it exposes itself as a ruse. When nonviolence is preached by the representatives of the state, while the state doles out heaps of violence to its citizens, it reveals itself to be a con. And none of this can mean that rioting or violence is “correct” or “wise,” any more than a forest fire can be “correct” or “wise.” Wisdom isn’t the point tonight. Disrespect is. In this case, disrespect for the hollow law and failed order that so regularly disrespects the community.

As someone who rarely carries cash on her or has small bills readily available, I was thrilled to learn that Seattle street paper Real Change is now available via a mobile app. Don’t worry! You’ll still engage with your regular vendor, but s/he now has a bar code on her badge by which you can make a secure payment and enjoy your issue in-app. The iOS version rolled out this week, and Droid was launched a couple of weeks ago, so Seattle folks, get to your app store and then get to your vendor! (Portland and Vancouver, might Street Roots or Megaphone offer something similar?)

Check out the #whomademyclothes conversation from last week. It drew attention to the continuing failure of fast fashion and big box clothing retailers to source their products responsibly, and it encouraged consumers to seek answers to the question. John Oliver had a humor-laced take on the issue as well, and Mashable had a list of five tools to help you determine the origins of your own goods.Earthquake

Eric

It’s hardly the worst thing they’ve done, but it’s still gross: Tesoro’s Utah refinery recently coated a nearby public park in an “oil mist”.

You can color me intrigued by Nick Hanauer’s latest venture, Civic Skunkworks. It’s unapologetically lefty journalism and analysis of today’s policy debates.

Behold: the ultimate guide to vehicle modification for fuel efficiency, featuring over 65 tips on how drivers can use less gas.

The New York Times has a gripping long-form look at the current circumstances of the NFL’s draft class of 1990. The reporters follow up on the lives of the 25 first-round draft picks that year, from Emmitt Smith to the Seahawks’ Cortez Kennedy, to tell their stories. Some have been beleaguered by addiction, jail, and debilitating physical pain. A few have prospered quietly. All of their stories are fascinating, at least if you’re a football fan.

Clark

Ben Romano takes a look at the economics of green buildings—focusing on a new deep-green office building in Fremont.

Would you be better off living in another country? Well, it depends what you mean by “better off.” This nifty website, If It Were My Home, compares nations on a whole range of metrics—not just economics, but health and quality of life. Compared with much of the world residents of North America are doing pretty well. But while residents of Japan have slightly lower incomes than Americans, they have lower unemployment, live 5 years longer, spend about half as much on health care, use vastly less oil and water, and even have a bit more free time than Americans!

Keiko

The devastating 7.8 earthquake that hit Nepal this past weekend has left me in disbelief. I lived in Nepal and have many loved ones in the country who currently have inadequate amounts of food, water, and shelter. With a death toll of over 4,000 (still rising), and 80+ aftershocks (including one of magnitude 6.7), the country needs immediate aid.

Here are some ways to help—even from halfway across the world.

• You can map roads, buildings, and housing that will help disaster response teams’s efforts on the ground.
• Support the Nepali community in your city. For example, there is a Nepal earthquake relief walk on Sunday hosted by the Seattle Nepal Society.
• If you have loved ones in Nepal who need immediate assistance, Western Union is offering free and direct money transfers and you can call Nepal for free via Skype.
• Don’t rush to Nepal to help. What is needed right now is money. Here’s a guide for choosing the best organization.

In light of climate change, many more communities worldwide will be exposed to natural disasters. Countries with poor resilience infrastructure are disproportionately faced with higher exposure to these disasters. Better disaster response needs to be a greater priority in these vulnerable areas. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragic disaster.