Cover Story
The Road to Paris and Where Does it Lead Now?
As a climate change educator and community organizer, I have been following closely the developments of the yearly United Nations climate conferences known as COP (Conference of the Parties) summits over the years. I had been eagerly anticipating the 2015 … Continue reading
Cover Story
Tell Congress to Stop Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
By now many of you may know about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, known as TPP. Our Congress voted to “fast track” this deal with only an up or down vote, no amendments or debate, which could occur in the next 60 … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Taking time to reflect on a span of fourteen years has great potential to assess what you might or might not have not accomplished. This exercise has its positive side but can also point to things we’d rather forget. On … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
This is a list of the monthly “Beaks and Bills” columns by Joe Meche. Titles in bold are stand-alone articles written by Joe Meche. Looking Back — February 2016 Cold Weather Birding — January 2016 Winter Is for Waterfowl — … Continue reading
Dear Watchers
Letters to the Editor (LTTE) must be received by the first of the month to be considered for publication in the following month’s edition. Letters should address a topic of interest to Whatcom Watch readers or relate to a previously published … Continue reading
Being Frank
More Salmon Habitat Protection Needed
We’ve seen some incredible salmon habitat restoration projects the past few years, but there’s a big difference between restoring habitat and protecting it. We must remember that restoration without protection does not lead us to recovery. The Elwha River on … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at December 1, 2015 Meeting Shall the commission: 157. Authorize the executive director to sign a renewed lease agreement with Gary W. Rogers and Vicki Ann Rogers, d/b/a Inside Passage Gifts? The gift shop began their tenancy in … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at December 7, 2015 Meeting Shall the council: 230. Approve the collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME, Local 114F for 2015–2017? Wages will increase by two percent on 1/1/2015, three percent on 1/1/2016, two percent on 1/1/2017 and half … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at December 8, 2015 Meeting Shall the council: 236. Increase by 0,000 the Port of Bellingham’s initial request for Economic Development Investment Board funds? The Port of Bellingham applied for a million grant and a million … Continue reading
Agriculture
Small Farms: Diversify and Strengthen
Editor’s Note: This is the second of two articles exploring Whatcom County’s agricultural past and present and current efforts to diversify and strengthen Whatcom County’s food system, from the farm to the factory to the consumer. For Part I, see … Continue reading
Energy
Bellingham Energy Prize Aims to Save More
Whatcom County is a community rich in the resources needed to help each and every citizen save energy in their homes, at their places of work, and at school — just about anywhere energy is used. The Bellingham Energy Prize … Continue reading
Energy
Free Workshops on Installing Solar Panels
Sustainable Connections along with local business partners Ecotech Solar, Western Solar and Itek Energy announce a new community solar purchasing program titled “Solarize Whatcom.” The program encourages homeowners and businesses to install solar panels on their homes, businesses or multifamily … Continue reading
Global Warming
Broken Democracy Holds Us Back, but Climate Activism Pushes Us Forward Editor’s note: This article, which was published on Sightline.org on Dec. 28, 2015, is part of the series “Cashing In Our Carbon.” One-hundred-ninety-five nations reached an agreement in Paris … Continue reading
poetrywatch
“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — John F. Kennedy Poetry … Continue reading
Port of Bellingham
Port of Bellingham Might Export Wood Pellets
While international headlines declare that the Paris climate agreements “may signal end of fossil fuel era,” and former U.S. vice-president, Al Gore, joins business leaders in welcoming “a transformation of our global economy,” the Bellingham Business Journal announces that the … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
State Voters Have Spoken: They Don’t Want Takings Legislation!
To celebrate the 24th year of publishing Whatcom Watch, we will be printing excerpts from 20 years ago. David M. Laws has been generous enough to volunteer to review the Whatcom Watch for 20 years ago to find suitable material … Continue reading
Unsung Heroes
Mathilda (Mattie) Wheeler and the Bellingham Threshold Singers
Mattie Wheeler and her husband Andy located here 24 years ago to raise a family. She is currently finishing her thesis novel for a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts through the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. She loves creating art … Continue reading
