Buried treasure: harnessing waste heat for a cleaner future

A wealth of energy vented into the air or flushed down the drain could be used for low-carbon, energy-efficient heating and cooling.

By SCOTT LOCKE
UMC

Reclaiming our shores

Puget Sound coastal restoration can aid in the recovery of endangered salmon populations, clean abandoned industrial sites, restore natural ecosystems, increase community access, and address the effects of sea level rise and climate change.

By JIM JOHANNESSEN and WEI CHEN
Natural Systems Design + Coastal Geologic Services

Centering equity, reconciliation and community in coastal adaptation

Coastal adaptation can have far-reaching benefits for communities, prompting critical evaluation of design and planning processes, and leading to important shifts in the systems that shape the built environment.

By LAURA DURGERIAN and DEB GUENTHER
Mithun

Five environmental factors influencing
construction in 2024

As a sizeable contributor to global carbon emissions, the building trades can have a huge impact through mindful changes in the way we do business, and the way we help our clients reduce their own impact.

By MARK CHEN
Skanska USA

Eastside cities partner for climate action

Small sustainability offices in Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island and Redmond work together to leverage pooled resources, reduce duplication of efforts, and accelerate climate action.

By STACY VYNNE MCKINSTRY
Eastside Climate Partnership

Floating wetlands strengthen urban ecosystems and community engagement

Artificial floating structures that mimic natural wetlands ecosystems provide community education and can be designed to address a range of problems, including water quality issues, harmful algal blooms, and even struggling fish habitats downstream.

By LILY SCHREDER
Herrera

A park for all people -- and the environment

Beneath the upgraded 132nd Square Park in Kirkland's Kingsgate neighborhood, rainwater passes through a series of three filter vaults before slowly seeping into the ground, mimicking the forested conditions that existed pre-development.

By AARON HUSSMANN
City of Kirkland

Planning for a rainy day, every day

Investing in effective stormwater management infrastructure is a long-term, large-scale commitment that results in cleaner water going into creeks, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and Puget Sound.

By VINCENT MCGOWAN
Department of Ecology