Peak News and Blog

Heat waves; how climate change makes them worse Extreme heat domes, heat islands, mega-droughts, and climate change: the anatomy of worsening heat waves.Early season heat waves are troubling and we are seeing a trend toward lengthening of the hot season. The worst effects of heat aren’t always in the hottest places. Heat waves can have…

King County’s 30-year Forest PlanA 30-year forest plan released Tuesday by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks aims to mitigate climate change, improve forest health, increase the tree canopy in unincorporated cities, improve public access to forests, enhance salmon habitat, improve water quality and supply, and support a sustainable timber industry. Along with forest…

Planting ‘Healing Power’ Trees in Low-Income NeighborhoodsHave you ever noticed the difference in tree distribution in so-called ‘good neighborhoods’ versus so-called ‘bad neighborhoods?’ City neighborhoods or districts with more wealth tend to have more trees, but that may not always be the case in the future, as non-profit and corporate partners are creating a sort…

What’s great about green infrastructure? We hear a lot about infrastructure these days as our government debates economic stimulus spending. Green infrastructure is smart! It can entail green parking, green roofs, bioswales, rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, urban tree canopies, and permeable pavements. “Green infrastructure” is a catch-all term that refers to using plant-based infrastructure to…

Protecting U.S. lands and oceans climate goal “Protecting 30 percent of America’s natural areas will help stabilize the climate, protect biodiversity, and give plants and wildlife a chance to adapt to the warming already baked into our current climate.” Among the many goals in President Biden’s climate change agenda, protecting 30 percent of U.S. lands and…