Researching the region’s most pressing sustainability challenges
We provide citizens and decision-makers with the policy analysis and practical tools they need to advance an economy and way of life that are environmentally sound, economically vibrant, and socially just.
Our Work
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Parking Reform Alone Can Boost Homebuilding by 40 to 70 Percent
The History of Washington’s Wandering Election Day
A Magic Boost for Low-Turnout City Elections
Reintroducing: Your Local Library, a Critical Tool for Democracy
Election Reform Measures Lost; Election Reform Didn’t
Lessons for Washington State Leaders as Another US Oil Refinery Closes
Northwest Climate Goals Are at Odds with a Few State Energy Efficiency Rules
Supercharging Cascadian Decarbonization
Washington State Leads the Nation on Climate Action
Climate Action in the Courts
Alaska Supreme Court Upholds State’s New Election System
Ditching Odd-Year Elections Would Give More Washingtonians a Say in Local Government
How Community Groups Can Shape Alaska’s Success on Ranked Choice Voting
Proportional Representation Helps Candidates, Too
How Proportional Representation Gave American Voters Meaningful Representation in the 1900s
When Elections Are Decided in the May Primary, Many Portlanders Don’t Have a voice in City Hall
Parking Reform Alone Can Boost Homebuilding by 40 to 70 Percent
Three Ways Anchorage Leaders Could Unlock More Homes
Parking Mandates Are Keeping Kids Out of Daycare
In Race after Race, People Keep Electing Pro-Housing Politicians
To Fix Inclusionary Zoning, Fund It
Vancouver Shows Just How Much it Costs to Ban Apartments
Video: Housing Solutions Are Climate Solutions
Poll: Washington Voters Out Ahead Of Local Leaders On Zoning Reforms
Video: Zoning for All Kinds of Affordable Homes
Recipes for Successful Abundant Housing Communications
How to Tear Down the Invisible Walls in Your City’s Zoning Code
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Housing + Cities
Parking, zoning, sprawl, pollution, property rights, commutes, rents, and home prices—they all intersect where a legacy of exclusionary rules and regulations restrict homebuilding and fuel our housing shortage. Hear from Dan Bertolet, Catie Gould, Michael Andersen, and others exploring solutions for low-carbon, affordable, accessible cities and towns.
Climate + Energy
From electrification to decarbonization, carbon pricing to grid upgrades, Emily Moore and team decode the policy solutions to power a greener, more equitable, and robust economy for the region’s future.
Democracy + Elections
Protecting voter choice and voice with clear-eyed, independent analysis and models of success—Alan Durning, Jay Lee, Shannon Grimes, Al Vanderklipp, and others send you the latest elections solutions and opportunities, from Alaska to Oregon and inland to Montana and Idaho.Â
Farms + Forests
Where sustainability meets stewardship of our natural resources and food systems. Get dispatches from actual farms and forests—and the policy discussions that determine their health and climate impacts.