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Environment & Sustainability

A photo of a natural wetland area between two tall apartment buildings.

Urbanism 101: What is a Sponge City?

Some experts believe the concept may be the best and cheapest way for cities to adapt to climate change. Numerous cities are dealing with two...
A small pine tree in the foreground with three people talking in the background.

Green Blocks Boosts Tacoma Neighborhoods One Tree at a Time

On February 4th, the Tacoma Tree Foundation (TTF) will host a planting event at Madison Elementary school. The school is one of the only...

One Tool to Fight Plastic Pollution? Make Companies Pay for Packaging Waste

Over her winter break, Manya Gupta walked along Lake Tapps with her cousin looking for deer tracks. Instead, they found litter.  “I haven’t known a...

Congress Approves Record $54 Million for Puget Sound Recovery

But development outside of Washington State's urban growth areas continues to place pressure on an ecologically rich, but fragile ecosystem. Congress has passed a funding...
Picture take from Kirkland facing downtown midrises and City Hall

Google Planned New Sustainable High-Rise Campus in Kirkland

Update: On January 20th, 2023, the City of Kirkland announced that Google will not be proceeding with the sale of the Lee Johnson site...
A view of a mountain in the distance behind a suburban neighborhood

Seattle’s Geologic Hazards Can Be Overwhelming, But Preparation Can Start Now 

“Seismic” buttons in Seattle’s elevators hide ubiquitously in plain sight. When I was new to the city last year, these buttons were a reminder...

California Floating Wind Lease Bonanza is a Bellwether for West Coast Clean Energy

Floating offshore wind energy platforms are coming to California, as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has concluded its first sale of leases...

Adopted Regional Transportation Plan Isn’t Aligned With 2030 Climate Goals

Just a few months after adopting a long range transportation plan intended to guide investments through 2050, staff at the Puget Sound Regional Council...