9/21 Canary grass, BC firefighters, American Climate Corps, TM sale, heat pumps, EV sales, Bowen Is park

 

Reed Canarygrass

Reed Canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea
Canary grass is a major threat to natural wetlands. It outcompetes most native species as it forms large, single-species stands with little wildlife habitat value. Its invasion can cause siltation in irrigation ditches. (WA State Noxious Weed Control Board)

‘Treated like machines’: wildfire fighters describe a mental health crisis on the frontlines
Extreme working conditions, low pay and high turnover are leading to a crisis exacerbated by more intense wildfires. Eighteen firefighters tell their stories of the mental toll — from burnout to PTSD to the loss of peers to suicide. Trina Moyles and Jesse Winter report. (The Narwhal)

Wanted: 20,000 Young Americans to Fight Climate Change
President Biden intends to use executive authority to train and employ thousands of young people in jobs to fight global warming, Ali Zaidi, the White House national climate adviser, said on Tuesday. The American Climate Corps, as the White House has named the organization, would provide young people with skills to work in wind and solar production, disaster preparedness and land conservation, Mr. Zaidi said. The White House expects about 20,000 recruits in the first year, he said. Lisa Friedman reports. (NY Times)

Trans Mountain sale to start with federal meeting next week
The government will be meeting with members of some of the roughly 130 indigenous groups that have shown interest in a partial ownership stake. Robert Tuttle reports. (Bloomberg News)

Heat pumps key to WA, coalition’s plan to end building emissions
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee vowed this week to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings, in large part by rapidly expanding the installation of heat pumps. Inslee is joined in that promise by 24 other governors representing states that belong to the Climate Alliance (of which the Washington governor is a founding member). In all, the governors agreed to install 20 million new heat pumps across their states by 2030. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times)

Is Inslee’s plan working? The electric car age arrives — for some
Our state’s sizzling gas prices, second highest in the nation, have been described this summer as annoying, painful, even scandalous, depending on who’s doing the talking. But here’s another aspect to expensive gas that leaders seem shy to acknowledge: It’s working. Something is happening in the car market, suddenly, but also as part of a long-building strategy. Going electric — saying goodbye to oil — is surging. Danny Westneat writes. (Seattle Times)

Group offers $30M to buy proposed Bowen Island park where camping has become contentious
A Bowen Island, B.C., group opposed to overnight camping at a proposed regional park wants to buy the park site from Metro Vancouver. The Bowen Island Conservancy has sent a letter to the regional district, offering $30 million to buy lands slated for the park on Cape Roger Curtis. Liam Britten report. (CBC)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  247 AM PDT Thu Sep 21 2023   TODAY  E wind to 10 kt in the morning becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft. W swell 5 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft. W swell 4 ft at 10 seconds.

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