Olympia, WA – As this year's Washington legislative session draws to a close today, it may be remembered as one of the "greenest" in history. Lawmakers have approved an ambitious package of bills that pave the way for setting limits on global warming pollution; providing for green-collar job training; requiring environmental sensitivity in land use planning; and even getting more locally-grown produce into schools. Megan Blanck-Weiss, field and legislative programs director for Futurewise, pushed for the land use planning bill, known as "Local Solutions to Global Warming."

"Tacoma is really on the forefront of this. Spokane is doing great work, and Vancouver has an office of sustainability. The bottom line on this is, we actually need state leadership. We need state support, to make sure that they have the tools and the resources to get it done."

She adds many other cities and counties are eager to get started.

In debating the "Climate Action and Green Jobs" bill, lawmakers agreed cleaner air and less dependence on foreign oil are worthy goals. The bill cuts pollution to 1990 levels by the year 2020, and sets up training for jobs in clean energy industries. K.C. Golden, policy director for Climate Solutions, says these are long-term commitments that will pay off.

"Our state's economy is losing right now over $50 million a day, just to import fossil fuels. It's just a huge drain on our economy, and it compromises our national security - and, despite some fear of the unknown, standing still is no longer a very desirable alternative. We've got to make this transition."

Golden is a member of the Governor's "Climate Advisory Team," which assured lawmakers that the technology is available to meet the goals in the bill, and that the plan will deliver economic benefits.

Another bill that will soon land on Governor Gregoire's desk is a departure from traditional "environmental" legislation. "Local Farms, Healthy Kids" will make more locally-grown food products available to schools and food banks. Tom Geiger of the Washington Environmental Council says it turned out to be one of the most popular bills in both houses.

"It requires a change in law, because right now, most schools have to basically buy the cheapest food available - and that often is not locally-grown, fresh produce. This allows, but does not require, a school to make that change."

Geiger says the bill also would give people the ability to use food stamps at farmers markets. In all, more than $3 million worth of environmental and conservation-related legislation was passed during the 60-day session, and will be funded as part of the newly-updated Washington state budget.




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New research from the University of New Hampshire could help dairy farmers increase profits while reducing their effect on the climate.

Scientists said adding a plant-based essential oil blend to cow feed can improve a cow's digestion and reduce the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Andre Brito, associate professor of dairy cattle nutrition and management at the University of New Hampshire, said the findings are especially true for pasture grazing cows and shows a happy cow makes for a healthier environment.

"If those animals are provided those conditions, they'll be more productive," Brito pointed out. "Then the amount of methane that's being emitted by those animals is diluted because they're producing more product."

Brito reported adding the plant oils led to a more than 6% increase in milk production, which is good news for the majority of New Hampshire dairies, especially small to mid-size operations with smaller profit margins and higher equipment costs.

Still, Brito noted the research findings could translate to larger, industrial-size dairies. The factory farms often hold thousands of cows, generating significant methane emissions through their hearty burps and manure, which is often stored in large, polluting lagoons.

Brito acknowledged although the plant-based oils are readily available for use, farmers must weigh the economic benefits and overall environmental impact.

"Any investment that the farmers would make in a product has to be tied to economics," Brito stressed. "Even though farmers overall, they are conscious about the environment and they want to make sure that there is less carbon, nitrogen footprint out of their farms."

Brito's research was conducted on cows as they transitioned from the winter indoor-feeding schedule to eating their favorite plants in the pasture, a diet change which can increase the cow's emissions.

Brito added he hopes the research can help farmers better understand when to add the oils to the cow feed to potentially reduce the cow's overall climate effect.


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State officials in Maine are highlighting apprenticeships as a way to earn a living wage and contribute to the state's growing green economy.

They'll kick off the first-ever Youth Apprenticeship Week by exposing high school students to the numerous ways they can learn and earn in offshore wind energy development, passive home construction, aquaculture, and more.

Maine Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program Manager Kristine McCallister said about 90% of apprentices choose to stay with their employer after their training is complete.

"Apprentices have a mentor and they're earning wages and they're earning pay increases as they go," said McCallister, "so it's a really great way to attract talent to Maine and to keep talent here."

McCallister said apprentices will earn $300,000 more over their lifetime. The state aims to add 75,000 more workers to the economy over the next five years by growing career training pipelines.

A report by the Maine Labor Climate Council finds the state can create tens of thousands of jobs by building a zero-carbon transportation system.

Workers will be needed to install EV charging stations, electrify school bus fleets, and potentially build a high-speed rail line from Bangor to Boston.

McCallister said new Mainers, like those studying with Portland Adult Education, are using apprenticeships to fill these roles and other clean-energy jobs.

"Those pre-apprentices just graduated and have interviewed with some of our apprenticeship programs," said McCallister, "so we're really hoping they're going to help feed that pipeline as this economy is booming in Maine in terms of the renewable-energy sector."

McCallister said some companies are even offering on-the-spot interviews and job offers this week. All apprenticeship events are listed on the Department of Labor's website.




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Climate watchers are predicting this summer's temperatures may set records, which could aggravate some medical conditions.

A 30-year study of health records from more than 200 countries and territories suggests a connection between stroke and climate change. The online publication "Neurology" reported the growing number of global deaths and disabilities from strokes are linked to -- but not caused by -- climate change.

Dr. Ann Jones, stroke neurologist at Indiana University Hospital, said when the body feels extreme heat and sweat evaporates, hypercoagulation, or blood thickening, occurs, which increases the chance for blood clots. Winter weather can also produce an instinctive response.

"The cold makes us kind of react with our fight-or-flight kind of drive, and it makes our blood vessels close down or vasoconstrict," Jones explained. "That can raise blood pressure up and that can predispose you to stroke."

Jones noted an ischemic stroke involves a clogged artery preventing blood from flowing to brain tissue. A ruptured artery during a hemorrhagic stroke causes blood to travel outside the artery wall into the brain tissue.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported almost 43% or 3,500 per 100,000 Hoosiers died from a stroke in 2021. Indiana ranks 34th in the nation for the rate of strokes.

The Yale Center on Climate Change and Health found heat can increase the risk of a stroke. Recent global burden-of-disease studies found 2 to 5 million deaths per year are linked to extreme temperatures globally. And climate change can also indirectly impact health through poor water quality, air pollution and increased spreading of infectious diseases.

Jones maintained good health is a start toward prevention and recommends the Mediterranean diet; consuming less red meat for optimal well-being and getting 30 minutes of exercise five times per week.

"Some things are out of our control," Jones acknowledged. "But just taking care of yourself in the ways that we can; focusing more on vegetables, fish, and staying hydrated, working on blood pressure with that reduced goal of less than 130 over 80."

The study indicated more research could identify the impact of temperature change on stroke as a way to address health inequalities including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes.