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Coloring Inside the Lanes
What if all it took to build better neighborhoods was a little paint? Walking in Southeast Portland, I once stumbled on a horizontal rendition of a sunflower, painted curb to curb on the intersection of Southeast 33rd and Yamhill (pictured above). Sunnyside Piazza, it is called, which may seem a bit much for a splash of color on asphalt, but in person, it seemed fitting. This whimsical design, interrupting the...Read more » -
Sightline In The Atlantic
Most of the time on Sightline’s blog we talk about the Pacific—like when we talk about highly corrosive waters brought about by excess carbon dioxide emissions from humans. But today, we’re talking about The Atlantic. Nicolas Jackson has a great new column up on The Atlantic’s “Life” section, where he’s posting responses to 9 1/2 questions about working in the sustainability field. Today’s post features Sightline’s own Alan Durning. Give...Read more » -
Jon Stewart Jumps the Shark
They must be slapping high-fives at the Heritage Foundation right now. Just two years after that right-wing think tank, heavily funded by the oil lobby, dedicated itself to undermining support for green jobs they scored the ultimate coup: getting Jon Stewart to repeat their deceptions in an attack on Seattle’s energy efficiency program. It was something of a master stroke for the Right’s communications machine—and worth studying for it’s diabolical effectiveness. I’m related...Read more » -
Easy As Pizza Pie
The effects of some food labels on our eating habits are debatable. But it’s still exciting to see businesses making an effort to educate their customers about the sustainability of their products. Seattle pizza chain Pagliacci’s is taking one step in that direction. They’re switching to Forest Stewardship Council-certified cardboard, and using the cardboard itself to explain the life-cycle of the box. Northwest pizza companies have been ahead of the...Read more » -
An Obscure California Regulation Fills Homes with Toxics
The test is simple: 12 seconds exposed to a small flame like a cigarette lighter. If the furniture foam doesn’t burn, it passes the test and can be sold. If it burns, it fails and cannot. That’s been California’s trial by fire for furnishings—its “flammability standard”—since 1975. It sounds reasonable enough. Unfortunately, though, this obscure rule turns out to cause an inordinate amount of toxic harm to people, the environment,...Read more » -
Alley, Alley, in Come Free
Editor’s Note July 2016: We’re bringing back this popular photo essay to highlight the hidden world of alleys. As cities grow, more people are transforming alleys into viable community spaces. Check out how alleys are becoming a bit brighter (and greener) below. And take a peak at Citylab’s recent article for a look at more revitalized and repurposed alleys. Once a stinking strip of menace that was friendlier to rats and crime than to hummus and dancing,...Read more » -
The Environmental Case Against the Deep-bore Tunnel
Four of our friends and environmental colleagues recently made a case for tunneling under downtown Seattle to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. They, along with many of our friends in the labor and business communities, have concluded that the tunnel is the only viable path forward. It pains us to disagree, because we respect them and value the relationships and accomplishments that our work together has brought. As a citywide...Read more » -
The YMCA Should Not Need a Guide-Outfitter Permit, a Special Use Permit, a National Environmental Policy Act Assessment, and a Business Plan to Take Poor Kids into National Forests
Last summer, I took a four day hike through the high backcountry of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area in the Washington Cascades. I’m an experienced mountaineer, accustomed to rugged terrain and steep slopes, so I was impressed when after a long day and miles of off-trail travel I heard the voices of young teenage boys wafting toward me from near the Tank Lakes. These remote tarns are in a place...Read more » -
Working Bikes
We’ve written before about the wonders of bike technology. So, you may already know that the bicycle is the most energy-efficient form of travel ever devised. Bikes are pretty good work horses too, though we don’t use them as such in North America to the extent others do around the world. Or at least not yet!Read more » -
Sightline Speaking in Eugene
Next Monday, Sightline’s executive director Alan Durning will be speaking at the University of Oregon. Presented by the Sustainable Cities Initiative, he’ll be speaking on how to use information to change the world. If you’re in the area, you should check it out! What: Alan Durning: “The Truth, Well Told” Where: University of Oregon, 107 Esslinger, Eugene, OR When: Monday, May 2, 3:00-4:30 PMRead more »
