9/18 Leopard slug, youth climate suit, CA carbon market, Canada climate target, Peninsula smoke, Victoria smoke, undescribed species, democracy watch

 Leopard slug

Leopard slug Limax maximus
Limax maximus is a species of slug in the family Limacidae, the keeled slugs. Although native to Europe, this species has been accidentally introduced to many other parts of the world, first discovered outside its native range in Philadelphia in 1867. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: A ghost in the woods: the plant haunting social media

Youth, scientists, argue for court to halt Trump executive orders 'unleashing' fossil fuel industry 
For the second time in two years a youth-led lawsuit challenging the government’s role in climate change is seeing the inside of a Montana courtroom. Twenty-two youth are suing the Trump administration over the president’s executive orders aimed at supporting the fossil fuel industry, curbing renewable energy and suppressing climate science. Micah Drew reports. (Washington State Standard) 

CA just aligned its carbon market with WA’s. Here’s why that matters 
California’s lawmakers over the weekend extended the state’s carbon market for years — and rebranded it to mirror Washington’s landmark climate policy. Originally set to expire in 2030, California’s carbon market will now extend through 2045, the Legislature decided. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times) 

In an unprecedented warning, leading climate think-tank says Canada won't meet 2030 climate target 
Years of progress on bringing Canada's carbon emissions down have stalled, and future progress looks increasingly fragile, according to an early 2024 emissions estimate from the Canadian Climate Institute (CCI). The leading climate policy think-tank, which publishes its estimates a few months before the government does, is saying for the first time that Canada will not meet its 2030 emissions target. Inayat Singh reports. (CBC) 

Bear Gulch Fire brings smoke to the Peninsula 
Air quality reached unhealthy levels on the North Olympic Peninsula as smoke and ash from the Bear Gulch fire in the Lake Cushman area blew north late Tuesday night. Elijah Sussman reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Greater Victoria's apocalyptic sun likely not due to '80s volcanic ash
Cars covered with ash and a red morning sun was from forest fire ash not from resurrected Mount St. Helens ash. Christine van Reeuwyk reports. (North Island Current) 

All the Life We Cannot See
As scientists continue their search for undescribed species, they’re revealing how little we know about life on our planet. Benji Jones reports.(Vox/bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death (AP) 
• U.S. Education Dept. unites conservative groups to create 'patriotic' civics content  (NPR) 

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  221 AM PDT Thu Sep 18 2025    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW late. Seas 3 to 5 ft.  Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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