Skagit Warming

Much of the scientific literature on global warming approaches the subject from a worldwide perspective. The Skagit Valley Herald brings you an 8-day series looking at how climate change could impact our own communities — our economy, shorelines, farms, forests, wildlife and water supplies.

Skagit Warming: Tell us what you think

Opinions vary on climate change and what should be done, and many of our readers have something to say. We invite you to share your thoughts here on the issue and the options for action.


Why turn off the lights?

Each flip of the switch adds up.

For one lightbulb, that’s just watts of power. But on your electric bill, it’s measured in kilowatts, and on the macro level, it adds up to megawatts.


What You Can Do

* You: 1 in 6 billion

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Various Web sites will chart your carbon footprint for free. Log onto any of these sites to take a quiz that…


Climate and You

* You: 1 in 6 billion

* Reducing your carbon footprint — one watt at a time

Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, loss of animal and plant life — there’s…


Skagit Warming: Government action

Sedro-Woolley converted its city vehicle fleet to a biodiesel blend fuel.

Burlington built a new City Hall and library with energy-efficient lighting and heating systems.

Mount Vernon…


Green Power

* Power Matters

* Utilities look to wind, sun, tides for energy

Flip on a light, turn on a computer, punch on the television remote, and you’re probably contributing…


Nuclear power unlikely alternative

* Power Matters

There was a time when the 40-story cooling tower of a nuclear power plant might have loomed over Lyman from nearby Bacus Hill. Another plant was once envisioned for tiny…


Tribe, La Conner on front lines

* Rising Seas, raising questions

* Officials weigh impact of sea-level rise on low-lying locales

When a state agency named the lower Skagit Valley as one of two areas…


Cashing in on global warming

* Economic adaptation

* State poised to become key player in growing clean-energy industry

It’s a cold December morning on an old dairy farm north of Burlington where…


Climate change could have dramatic impact on local agricultural scene

* Economic Adaptation

Seven years ago, Jeff Hammer opened one of the Skagit Valley’s first wineries in south Mount Vernon and later began growing wine grapes on an adjoining two-acre…


Warming shifts odds away from salmon survival

* Climate change already affecting Northwest forests and fish runs

Survival for salmon is a numbers game: Lay enough eggs, and some will make it to adulthood to breed.

Each…


Climate change poses threat to regional icons

* Threatened Icons
* Forests across Western U.S. face increasing insect, fire risks


Travel east on the North Cascades Highway, and you’re likely to see acres of…


Warming’s impact on Skagit water

* Water pressures
* Models predict less in summer, more in winter

Too much water in the winter. Not enough in the summer. This could be the twisted logic global warming…


Researchers explore effects of climate change on health

* Our kids; our health

BY AUGUST KRYGER
and FRANNY WHITE
Staff Writers

Climate change isn’t limited to increasing global temperatures. It also has the potential…


Nature’s Laboratory

MOUNT VERNON — Rare October sunlight streamed through the alder and evergreen branches and dappled Trumpeter Creek below. The leaves had turned; many had already fallen and littered the stream bed.…


Temperatures rising, glaciers melting in Northwest

* Facing a not-so-distant future

Mike King remembers the good old days, when it snowed more in the Skagit Valley.

“Even as a kid, when I used to live in Mount Vernon ... we…


Climate change and the Skagit Valley

Global warming is real. It’s already begun, and it’s accelerating.

Temperatures measured around the world show that 11 of the past 12 years have been the warmest since records were first…


Top Jobs

NOW HIRING WAITSTAFF and P/T HOSTESS. Must be avail. all shifts. Apply in person: 702 S. 1st, La Conner…


NOW HIRING PRODUCTION WORKERS Carpentry skills a plus. Must be dependable. Pay depends on experience.…


DENTAL ASSISTANT for busy office. PT/FT. Please send resumes: Attn Rae, SWFDC, 830 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley,…


ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Skagit Publishing is currently looking to hire a full time Advertising Coordinator…


CIVIL SITE SUPERINTENDENT Local General Contractor is looking for a Civil Superintendent with a minimum…


MANAGER FOR COFFEE SHOP. G.K. Chesterson's Coffee House is now accepting applications/resumes for an…


Are you a quality LPN looking for an opportunity to provide exc. one on one care in a low stress environment…


LOOKING FOR A CAREER? Local Mazda dealership looking for outgoing, high energy salespeople. Experience…


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Allergy Department RN/LPN or MA with qualifying experience. 32+ hrs./wk. Requirements: RN/ LPN current…


Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: Mount Vernon The Skagit Valley…


HIRING DRIVERS • OTR positions avail. • Solo & Team driving. • All routes bring drivers home weekly!…


Fast paced medical, surgical, and cosmetic Dermatology clinic in Mt. Vernon currently accepting applications…


P/T Cook Needed Experience Required. Apply in person. Skagit Golf & Country Club, 757-4081.


PERSONAL LINES CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT: Wycoff Insurance is looking for a full time Personal Lines Customer…


Social Services worker needed. BSW preferred. Long Term care, MDS and discharge planning exp. req'd.…


LIVE-IN NIGHT and WEEKEND MONITOR at retirement community. Responsible, reliable person(s) with exc.…


Fiscal Technician Lead, Communication Sciences & Disorders. View announcement & apply online at www.wwu.edu/jobs…


"EXTRA MONEY" and the rest of the day free!!!! ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted:…