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Creating healthy urban environments for all Steve Nicholas, Director
What's New
Accomplishments
Clean Air
Climate Protection Initiative
Seattle reLeaf
Chemical Use Reduction
Green Seattle Guide
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Resource Directory

Welcome


Welcome to Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment web site.   We collaborate with City agencies, business groups, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to protect and enhance Seattle’s distinctive environmental quality and livability.  

The purpose of this site is not only to inform, but also to inspire individuals and organizations -- both within and outside City government -- to take actions that help make Seattle a model of healthy, ecologically sustainable urban living.


Seattle releaf logo

Seattle reLeaf


Seattle's valuable trees are disappearing. You can learn why it matters and what you can do to help by visiting the new Seattle reLeaf website. The site is both fun and informative, with features like a weekly tree blog, "Ask the Experts," videos about trees and links to all you need to know about planting and caring for trees. Working together, we can keep the Emerald City green!

Seattle Climate Action Plan


Seattle skyline In 2006, Mayor Nickels released the Seattle Climate Action Plan, the most comprehensive set of investments and programs in the city's history for fighting climate change. The Office of Sustainability and Environment coordinates implementation efforts and monitors progress for the Plan's 18 actions. In October 2007, the first progress report was issued, along with an updated community greenhouse gas inventory. Seattle has made tremendous progress so far, and the work ahead will be to sustain Seattle’s gains, build on the momentum, and redouble efforts to reduce climate pollution in Seattle, not only by 7 percent by 2012, but by 80 percent by 2050.

2007 Progress Report Links

2006 Climate Action Plan Links

Seattle Climate Action Now



Seattle CAN graphic Here in Seattle, there is a growing recognition that global warming isn’t a far away threat for future generations to worry about. It is a real and present challenge for us right now. And for most of us, the pressing question is, “What can I do to stop global warming? How can I get started?” Joining Seattle Climate Action Now is a great first step!

Seattle Climate Action Now offers practical tools and resources that help us all become part of the solution to climate change. When we work together, we can tackle a serious challenge like climate change, build a stronger, healthier community for our families today, and ensure a more prosperous tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.

Working together, Seattle CAN make a difference!

Seattle Climate Action Now links

Watch a short video of the Mariners Moose and Blitz from the Seahawks demonstrating several climate protection actions we can all take at home!


Urban Forest Management Plan



trees on a city street In September, Mayor Greg Nickels released for public comment the city's first-ever comprehensive plan for preserving, restoring and maintaining Seattle's precious urban forest. The urban forest, all the trees across Seattle's 54,000 acres of public and private land, has declined dramatically over the past 30 years. Visit the Urban Forestry page to learn more about the Urban Forest Management Plan(5 MB) and how you can get involved.

Click here for the full story on the plan's release.

Environmental Action Agenda



The Mayor's Environmental Action Agenda for 2006-2007 will propel Seattle forward in the fight against climate disruption, restoring and protecting our precious urban forest, maintaining and improving water quality and building healthy neighborhoods.

Read the 2006 Environmental Action Agenda - Acrobat PDF, 4 MB

Read the press release

Highlights



The City's Green Seattle Partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy was formed to restore 2500 acres of forested parkland by 2025. Visit the Partnership's website to learn more about the program and how you can get involved. The site also includes best practices for removing invasive plants.


Former Vice President Al Gore joined Mayor Greg Nickels and his Green Ribbon Commission on March 24th to announce a series of recommendations that will shape the city of Seattle’s efforts to sharply reduce Seattle’s contributions to global warming pollution.

Read the press release
Visit the Green Ribbon Commission website for the report and materials


The Green Seattle Guide features a list of 101 eco actions for you and your family to help protect our urban environment. It also offers a wealth of resources including websites, publications and volunteer opportunities. Check out the website, or download the PDF!


Environmental Action Agenda

On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified it to date. On that day, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched this initiative to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action by at least 141 American cities. Mayor Nickels, along with 10 other US mayors, is leading the development of a US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

Newstories:

The News Hour with Jim Lehrer Watch the Video
8/15/05 - Jim Lehrer discusses global warming and the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement

BBC Audio news report on the Mayor's Climate Initiative Watch the Video
8/18/05 - Seattle leads the US in rallying cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

More media stories can be found on the Mayor's Climate page


Meadowbrook Pond Mayor Nickels Launches Restore Our Waters Strategy

Seattle is defined by water - our creeks, lakes, Puget Sound, the Duwamish River and other water bodies make the city a great place for people and for fish and other wildlife. Read what Seattle is doing to protect these incredible assets. For more information, check out the Mayor's website. Download the Restore Our Waters Strategy and see a map of Restore Our Waters projects.

Green SeattleThe Mayor's Green Seattle Initiative
The Mayor announced his Green Seattle Initiative on April 17. The goals of the Initiative are to: save Seattle's public forests; make Seattle's neighborhoods greener; and promote green urban development.For more information, check out the Mayor's press release, the Q&A, and the Initiative's info sheet.  Click here for articles in the Seattle Times and PI.

Director Steve Nicholas with Mayor Greg Nickels
Link to Mayor's Priorities
Link to How we're helping

Seattle Climate Action Now

What's Hot

May flowers bring...bikes!
Bike to Work Day & Month

More and more people are commuting by bike every year and May is the month when people all around Puget Sound team up for the Group Health Commute Challenge. On May 16, thousands of riders celebrate Starbucks Bike to Work Day--commuter stations throughout the area will give away free coffee, bike maps and other goodies. Give it a try!

Blue Earth Alliance Photographers Capture Impacts of Global Warming
April 22 - June 6, City Hall Lobby

Eight award-winning Blue Earth Alliance (BEA) photographers will present their perspectives on the environment and the impacts of climate change from the Alps to glacial ice caves and through the eyes of Sami reindeer herdsmen, remote villagers and suburban dwellers. BEA raises awareness about endangered cultures, threatened environments and social concerns through photography. Photographs will be on display in the City Hall Lobby Gallery and the Anne Focke Gallery, L2 level of City Hall.

The Story of Stuff

Did you know that the average U.S. person now consumes twice as much as they did 50 years ago? Or that our national happiness peaked sometime in the 1950s? Is there a connection? The "Story of Stuff" is an engaging interactive video and online resource for learning about where stuff comes from, where it goes and the impacts of consumerism. Watch the video and learn more at The Story of Stuff.

Mayors' Summit on Climate Protection

On November 1 & 2, over 100 mayors came to Seattle to discuss the impact of climate change on their communities and the steps cities are taking to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, with a goal of spurring new local and federal actions. Keynote speakers included former President Bill Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Watch video of the event at Seattle Channel's website.

Would riding the bus save you money?

You can find out with Metro's handy online calculator--you simply plug in information about your commute and it tells you if you could be saving money by taking the bus, as well as which pass to buy, how to get one and even how you can work with your employer to help cover the cost of passes. Find out more here.

New Green Fleets Plan

The Fleets and Facilities Department has released a new Clean Green Fleets plan updated for 2007. Check it out here.

Seattle Channel Environmental Videos
Check out the Seattle Channel's environmental videos, including an interview with the Mayor about the Seattle Climate Action Plan, book readings by authors Elizabeth Kolbert and Tim Flannery, the Seattle screening of the new HBO documentary "Too Hot Not to Handle," and recent news conferences and City Council briefings on issues of environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Green Seattle Partnership releases the 20 Year Plan for restoring 2500 acres of forested parkland by 2025
Visit GreenSeattle.org

Oct. 26 - Read the City of Seattle Sustainable Building Program 5 Year Report outlining accomplishments since the endorsement of the Sustainable Building Policy in 2000.

Got questions about West Nile Virus Click here to find out more information.

 


Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE)
Mailing Address: PO Box 94729 Seattle, WA 98124-4729
Phone: (206) 615-0817, Fax: (206) 684-3013, Email: ose@seattle.gov
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