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

REFINERY OPERATOR Tesoro is currently seeking to fill the position of Refinery Operator at its Anacortes facility. An Operator monitors and controls refinery process equipment while working a rotating 12-hour shift, often outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. This can be a physically/mentally challenging job requiring mechanical ability and a basic understanding of physical sciences and chemistry. In addition, candidates must possess a positive work ethic, good communications and teamworking skills and have the willingness to take personal responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. Along with a dynamic work environment, Tesoro offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Starting wage will be $21.38 per hour that will initially increase to $25.59 after successful completion of training. Employment applications (one application per person) can be obtained at the Work Source Skagit, 2005 E. College Way, in Mount Vernon during the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on November 24, 25, and 30, 2009, or until a maximum of 300 applications has been distributed. No applications will be faxed or mailed. You must apply in person. All applicants will be tested on Saturday, December 5, 2009, for basic skills and aptitude. Additional information will be provided with the application. Telephone inquiries and mail-in applications will not be accepted. Successful candidates for employment will be required to pass a substance abuse screening (drug and alcohol), physical agility tests, and complete a physical exam. Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company 10200 W. March Point Rd. Anacortes, WA 98221 Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V


Youth Center Staff Supervisor The Swinomish Tribal Community Recreation/ Prevention Department is looking for a dynamic and competent individual who is experienced as a Youth Center Staff Supervisor. The Youth Center Supervisor plans, and does the total duties of a Prevention/Recreation Assistant. This position provides leadership to the other assistants when the Coordinator is out of the office. The Swinomish Tribal Community is a positive and friendly work environment. This is a full-time position with full health insurance benefits. Salary is DOQ. Request a Swinomish Tribal Community application and Job Description by calling 360-466-1216 or e-mail wbill@swinomish.nsn.us. Return cover letter, resume, and application to Wayne Bill, Human Resource Director as soon as possible. Send application packet to; Swinomish Tribal Community, Human Resource Office, 11404 Moorage Way, LaConner, WA. 98257


Established medical office seeks Medical Records Clerk/Receptionist. Must be flex. Position also covers sick & vacation days. You must have computer, customer service and professional telephone skills. Applicant must be neat in appearance, pleasant, reliable, organized, energetic and able to multi-task. Previous medical exp. is helpful but not nec. Send resume to: bonniec-mvwc @verizon.net or File #676 c/o Skagit Valley Herald, PO Box 578, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.


LIVE-IN CAREGIVER. Room and board furnished. Clean, cook, secretarial, farm management. Integrity required. 360-873-9600


STYLIST for AVEDA SALON AND SPA. Commission. 1019 Cleveland St., MV 336-2985