KCTS 9 Connects: February 13, 2009

Shrinking Glaciers

Forget about drowning polar bears and stranded penguins—global warming is hitting the Northwest. Local glaciers are melting at an unprecedented rate—40 percent in just the last 40 years, threatening wildlife, native fish and our own drinking water supplies. In this episode of Connects, we take you on a rare and special journey into the remote and stunning backcountry of the North Cascades National Park, where local scientists are monitoring our melting glaciers. We’ll show you the dramatic effects of global warming; explain the critical role glaciers play in our ecosystem; and find out what will happen if nothing is done to stem the tide of climate change.

Ten Things Seattle Can Do To Slow Climate Change

SEATTLE - Here are 10 ways you can slow down climate change. If you incorporate these small changes into your daily routine, over the next year you'll save the planet 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and put $3,000 back in your bank account.

Number 1: Replace three frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide and $60 per year. They are more expensive but they last ten times as long.

Number 2: Keep your car tires adequately inflated. Save 250 pounds of carbon dioxide and $840 per year. Install a clean air filter and save an additional 800 pounds of carbon dioxide and $130 per year.

Number 3: Adjust your thermostat down two degrees winter and up two degrees in the summer. Save 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $98 per year.

Number 4: Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Save 550 pounds of carbon dioxide and $30 per year. Insulate your water heater and save an additional 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.

Number 5: Every day 60 million plastic bottles are thrown away everyday in the U.S. So pick up a reusable bottle and prevent a lot of waste.

Number 6: Take shorter showers. Showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs. Save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide and $99 per year. Install a low flow showerhead and save an additional 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $150.

Number 7: Buy your fruits and vegetables locally and reduce the amount of energy required to drive your products to large grocery stores. Almost every Seattle neighborhood has a local farmer's market. Ballard's even runs through the winter on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Number 8: Buy minimally packaged goods. Less packaging could reduce your garbage by about 10%. Save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide and $1,000 per year.

Number 9: Plant a tree. Trees suck up carbon dioxide and make clean air for us to breathe. April 22 is Earth Day and provides the perfect opportunity to join the masses in putting your hands in the dirt and to make a difference. Save 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year.

Number 10: Unplug your unused electronics. Flipping the power switch off doesn't do the trick. Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $256 per year.

Economic Stimulus

What's in the economic stimulus plan for Washington State and the Pacific Northwest?

Job and Health Care Report

A new report by AARP finds that nearly 50 percent of Washington residents who were planning on retiring are now considering postponing that decision, while nearly 20 percent of already-retired residents are thinking of rejoining the workforce – in part because of the financial crisis, and in part because of rising health care costs.

We talk with AARP Washington’s Advocacy Director Ingrid McDonald about the healthcare worries facing seniors, and AARP efforts to prevent cuts to the state’s Basic Health Plan that are in danger of from our $6-billion and growing state deficit.

Related:

Economic and Health Insecurity (AARP Survey)
AARP’s Senior Community Service Employment Program