Thurston Climate Stories
The Climate Quilt Exhibit
ByThurston County Stream Team Join us for an innovative community display of art reflecting climate awareness and solutions. In this inspiring exhibit, over 100 community members painted quilt squares to express how we can lower our collective carbon footprint. Quilts have been used as a way to share messaging and create change in America for…
Read MoreSolarize Thurston: New Group Purchasing Opportunity!
By Olympia Community Solar Have you considered installing solar energy but held back due to costs or complications? Here’s some good news: Now through September 1, Thurston County residents and businesses can access solar at prices more than 25% below market rates, thanks to the solar group-purchasing program, Solarize Thurston. The program will support 50 Thurston County…
Read MoreClimate Action Milestone in Thurston County!
TCAT has been working with the cities of Lacey, Tumwater, Olympia and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners on the development of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP). During this time TCAT gathered almost 500 signatures in support of the TCMP and organized dozens of community members to send letters and provide public comment during city…
Read MoreHelp Us Get an Environmental Reporter for The Olympian
By Frank Turner, Cleve Pinnix and Brian Hovis Our local governments have adopted the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP). That was a heavy lift for the Thurston Climate Action Team, concerned citizens and elected officials. The harder part now begins as the plan is implemented. How will we know if compromises are made in the plan implementation? Luckily,…
Read MoreYouth Climate-Fiction Stories from Thurston County
By Samara Almonte, TCAT Digital Media Coordinator Science-fiction is an established genre in literature and media which many of us are probably familiar with. The exciting thing about art however, is that it is continuously evolving to reflect current events in society. In the recent years a new genere within sci-fi has emerged, called “climate-fiction”…
Read More* 23rd Annual Student GREEN Congress
Each year South Sound GREEN and the Nisqually River Education Project invite 400 student delegates from the thousands of students participating in the program to attend the Student GREEN Congress in March at the Evergreen State College. Congress is an opportunity for these student delegates to represent their class and present their water quality data,…
Read More* A slick solution to energy wasting can lights
Folks, if your house was built in the 80s or so, your kitchen can lights are likely not insulated and not sealed. In the winter, cold air falls from your unheated attic. COSTCO has led replacements that seal off the cans, provide lots (!) of light and use just a little energy. They sell this…
Read MoreTCAT Greenhouse Gas Inventory data now part of Regional Transportation Plan
Hard work pays off. Page 193 of the Draft Regional Transportation Plan includes a pie chart of county emissions from our GHG Inventory. Later, on page 249, TCAT’s GHG analysis is referenced.
Read MoreSustainable Thurston Earns More Kudos for ‘Smart’ Growth Achievement
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Department of Commerce will honor the Thurston Regional Planning Council’s Sustainable Thurston project with a “Lifetime of GMA Achievement Award” during a November 13, 2015, reception commemorating the 25th anniversary of the state’s landmark Growth Management Act, which requires municipalities to identify and protect critical areas and natural…
Read MoreGreen Business: Sandstone Distillery Blends Tenino History with Unique Regional Industry
It’s at the end of a winding drive through the bucolic cattle pastures and alpaca farms of Tenino that you’ll find the large red, purpose-built warehouse encompassing Sandstone Distillery. What you might not know after stumbling upon it is that it’s Thurston County’s sole craft liquor production site, and the first to open there since…
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