CURRENT INITIATIVES

Washington State manages 2.4 million acres of forestland to help fund schools and public services. Historically, timber production has been prioritized but with catastrophic results for climate, biodiversity, and rural economies.  CSE is working with partners to develop a new model based on conservation leasing, recreation, carbon and other ecosystem services.

Climate change is the most spectacular market failure humanity has ever faced. Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial agriculture externalize over $5 trillion a year in damages to the built environment, natural ecosystems, and human health. CSE is working to account for these damages and enact ‘polluter pays’ policies to pay for adaptation.

Clearcutting, dense networks of logging roads, and tree plantations emit large quantities of greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the carbon sequestration capacity of the land and increase risks associated with drought, wildfires, and water shortages. CSE publishes high quality research documenting these effects for partners to inform participation in forest management decisions.

Industrial logging activities are major sources of greenhouse gas pollution but are currently unregulated under state climate action agendas. CSE is working to help fill this void by advocating for a forest carbon tax and reward system to incentivize the transition to climate smart forestry while raising revenues for ecological restoration and economic diversification.

Fossil fuel risk bond programs are market-based mechanisms for shielding taxpayers from the financial liabilities associated with fossil fuel infrastructure and climate change. CSE pioneered the concept and is now actively working with elected officials at the federal, state and local levels on implementation. Major progress has been achieved in the Pacific Northwest.

At the Rio+20 Summit 172 nations signed an agreement to collectively advance seventeen Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate poverty while replenishing the Earth’s declining ecological capacity. New performance metrics are needed, and the Genuine Progress Indicator enjoys widespread support. CSE pioneered the current GPI methodology and works at the

Coho salmon face extreme mortality risk from tire wear particles that enter stormwater and oxidize into the lethal pollutant 6PPD-Q. Mortality events of over 90% are routine. The solution is to phase out this tire additive and construct advanced stormwater facilities to filter out the pollutant. CSE is providing expert support for litigation and land use advocacy to advance both goals.