3/2 Forsythia, BC LNG, cap'n'trade, kelp help, egg shortage, citizen science, Seattle trees

Forsythia [The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova]

Forsythia
Forsythias are a genus of deciduous flowering shrubs that belong to the olive family. These low-maintenance, fast-growing shrubs feature an upright, arching form and are known for their long branches that fill with brilliant yellow blooms early in the spring. The flowers precede their leaves, which means you get a good look at the blooms with no foliage to block your view.

Clouds Building over BC LNG Projects
British Columbia’s NDP government is expressing doubts about growing the province’s liquefied natural gas industry while the BC Liberal Opposition wants more LNG projects approved faster. With two proposals waiting for decisions from the government and a third close to entering the environmental assessment process, B.C. is at a pivotal moment and weighing the economic promise of LNG against the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

First auction held for ‘licenses to pollute’ in Washington
A big list of carbon polluters in Washington is now subject to a cap and trade regulation system. The first auction was held Tuesday for permits to emit greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Some people call these permits "licenses to pollute." Until now, those covered by the newly enacted Climate Commitment Act have not needed them. The regulation took effect on Jan. 1, 2023. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

‘Help the kelp!’ Northwest groups try to aid struggling kelp forests
There's a rallying cry at various bays and beaches up and down the West Coast; it's "Help the kelp!" The towering brown seaweed with the floating bulb on top is in steep decline. That's alarming because underwater kelp forests provide shelter and food for a wide variety of sea life. The crew now answering the call runs the gamut from seaweed farmers to hammer-wielding scuba divers and might some day include sea otters and octopuses. Tom Banse reports. (NW News Network)

The egg shortage won't end anytime soon. Here's why
Washington ecologists and farmers are scrambling to slow the avian flu — and get cartons back on grocery shelves. Sophia Sun reports. (Crosscut) 

Scientists tap volunteers to save integral species to Puget Sound ecosystem
In Washington state plenty of people pay attention to salmon recovery and the Southern Resident killer whales. Those with an eye for the science of Puget Sound likely know the concern over eel grass and kelp, but as you move down the list, the concerns become lengthy. By the time you reach the plight of lesser-known species like rockfish, public knowledge tends to fall off. Matthew Smith reports. (Fox13)

Seattle has a Green Lake-sized hole in its tree canopy, study shows
The city of Seattle is committed to increasing its tree canopy to 30% by 2037, but the city’s latest tree canopy assessment, using data collected in 2021, suggests we’re trending in the wrong direction. Hannah Weinberger reports. (Crosscut)

Truth, Trust and the News: "Calling Bullshit"
How do YOU decide what's true? An evening with authors Carl Bergstrom and Kevin West. April 13, Heiner Auditorium, Whatcom Community College, Bellingham. FREE, registration required.  Sponsored by Salish Current, Western Washington University’s Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education and Whatcom Community College, in partnership with Village Books.

Have you read the Salish Current?
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Free to read, free from ads. Catch the Current here.

Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  215 AM PST Thu Mar 2 2023   
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON   
TODAY  W wind 15 to 25 kt rising to 20 to 30 kt in the  afternoon. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 9 ft at 11 seconds  building to 11 ft at 12 seconds in the afternoon. A chance of  rain in the morning then showers likely and a slight chance of  tstms in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind 15 to 25 kt. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. NW swell  11 ft at 15 seconds building to W 15 ft at 14 seconds after  midnight. Showers likely in the evening. A slight chance of  tstms. Showers after midnight.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to mikesato772 (@) gmail.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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