Salish Sea News Week in Review March 27 2026

 

Aloha M.C. Escher Day

Maurits Cornelis (M.C.) Escher, who died on this day in 1972 at the age of 74, was a Dutch graphic artist who created mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints. His work is known for its optical illusions, impossible architecture, and paradoxical patterns. (Wikipedia)

New study finds artificial turf fields in Metro Vancouver releasing chemicals harmful to salmon
A new study from the University of British Columbia is raising concerns about the environmental impact of artificial turf fields across Metro Vancouver, which, it says, is leaching a chemical that’s deadly to coho salmon.

WA, Trump administration standoff continues in fight over coal plant 
The U.S. Department of Energy renewed an emergency order this week directing the state’s last coal power plant to remain available for operation, continuing a legal fight between the Trump administration and state leaders.

Environment and climate bills that passed and failed in WA’s legislative session
What passed, what didn't in this past legislative session. 

At 90, David Suzuki says he has done everything he could to protect the Earth, but fears he has fallen short
The iconic Canadian environmentalist says it may be too late for humanity to stop the worst of climate change. 

Why a Seattle cement plant burns a million tires a year and wants to burn more
For anyone crossing the Duwamish River on the West Seattle bridge, the Ash Grove Cement plant is hard to miss. Every day, to heat that kiln and turn limestone into “clinker,” a key ingredient of cement, the plant burns natural gas and thousands of old tires for fuel.

Reflecting on the legacy of the last orca capture in Washington state, 50 years later
Ellie Kinley is a mother, fisherman, and a member of the Lummi Nation in the Bellingham area reflects on the orca captures 50 years later. 

Meet the Nisqually bullfrog man. Refuge hires pro to take out invasive amphibian 
The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge been raided by American bullfrogs, an invasive species not native to the area.  Jamie Buchanan is a professional bullfrog hunter. 

Amazon and Walmart fined for selling banned refrigerant in WA
Retail giants Amazon and Walmart are collectively facing over a million dollars in environmental fines from Washington state’s Department of Ecology for selling coolant products that contain potent greenhouse gases. 

Supreme Court denies Chinook petition for federal recognition
Though the U.S. Supreme Court denied to review the Chinook Indian Nation’s case seeking federal recognition, the nation vows to continue the over a century-long fight, looking toward Congress for next steps. 

These news clips are a selection of weekday clips collected in Salish Sea News and Weather which is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe at no cost to the weekday news clips, send your name and email to msato(at)salish-current.org .Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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