Skagit County’s Climate and Sustainability Task Force won’t get off the ground if more people don’t apply!  Not enough letters of interest were received in October, so the deadline has been pushed out to NOVEMBER 14. If you are interested in applying for a seat on this critically important task force, please get your letter in to JoAnne Griesbrecht, Clerk of the Board, Skagit County Commissioners, 1800 Continental Place, Mt Vernon, WA 98273 or e-mail her at joanneg@co.skagit.wa.us

For more info about the task force, visit http://www.skagitcounty.net/Common/asp/default.asp?d=Home&c=General&P=press/092508.htm

The minutes for the October general meeting are available here

October 2008 Minutes

In June, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution establishing a program and task force for sustainability and climate change mitigation and adaptation. The resolution addresses projected impacts on Skagit County citizens and infrastructure, caused by severe weather, rising temperatures, and rising sea levels as well as the increased cost of fossil fuel.

A 12-member Climate Action and Sustainability Taskforce will be appointed by subsequent resolution. The Taskforce will assist and advise Skagit County officials on how to satisfy the county’s commitment to the resolution.

Citizens interested in serving on the Taskforce are urged to apply by submitting a letter stating background, interests, and experience. Send letters of interest to JoAnne Giesbrecht, Clerk of the Board, in care of the Skagit County Commissioners, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, 98273 before October 31, 2008.

In conjunction with Skagit County staff, the Taskforce will develop a long-term Climate Action Program by the end of 2009. Taskforce meetings will be open to the public with minutes posted on Skagit County’s website, www.skagitcounty.net.

McCain, Obama Weigh in on Science

Candidates differ on approaches to some of the toughest challenges facing America

Washington (September 15, 2008) – Entering the debate on several contentious science issues, John McCain today answered the “14 top science questions facing America,” according to ScienceDebate2008.com, the group leading an effort to make science issues a larger part of the election.  His answers join those of Barack Obama, who answered the same questions two weeks ago.
 
“Most of America’s major unsolved challenges revolve around these 14 questions.  To move America forward, the next president needs a substantive plan for tackling them going in, and voters deserve to know what that plan is,” said Shawn Otto, CEO of the initiative.  “We’re pleased that Senator McCain has provided voters with that plan.”
 
The two candidates’ full responses can be found at:  http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=2

The minutes for September’s general meeting are available here

September 2008 Meeting Minutes

From Science Debate 2008 News Release: Washington (August 30, 2008) – Barack Obama today answered the 14 top science questions facing America, according to ScienceDebate2008.com, the group leading the effort to make key science issues a larger part of the election.  John McCain has said he will also answer the questions and his answers will also be posted when available.  Visit the website below to read the responses. 

http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=40

The top 14 questions address energy policy, national security, economics in a science-driven global economy, climate change, education, health care, ocean health, biosecurity, clean water, space, stem cells, scientific integrity, genetics, and research.
 
The 14 questions were developed from over 3,400 questions submitted by more than 38,000 signers of the ScienceDebate2008 initiative.  The questionnaire is a joint effort led by ScienceDebate2008, with Scientists and Engineers for America, AAAS, the National Academies, the Council on Competitiveness, and several other organizations, together representing over 125 million voters.
 

Skagit Beat the Heat has a variety of videos, DVDs, books, and magazines available for check-out to any Skagit County citizen. Materials may be checked out for one month at Pelican Bay Books, 1104 9th Street, Anacortes.

The list of materials is available here. Lending Library

The Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG) has issued a job description and call for applications/resumes for the Resource Conservation Manager (RCM) Position.   The RCM will work with 9 governments within Skagit County to evaluate resource usage and recommend approaches to improve efficiency and reduce  costs for electricity, natural gas, water/sewer, solid waste/recycling, and irrigation.  The attached file contains the job description and information on how to apply.  Applications are due to Kelly Moldstad, Executive Director of the Skagit Council of Governments by September 17, 2008.  See the attached document for details. RCM Job Description

The minutes from our August 13 meeting are available here. August 2008 Meeting Minutes

Climate Change - It’s not just hot air! This article is in the July edition of the Skagit/Snohomish County Shore Stewards newsletter and a similar version is being published in the Beach Watchers Ebb & Flood newsletter.  I’m posting a copy here also and hope you find it interesting and informative.  Please, think about signing up for the Climate Stewards volunteer program - see prior post.