The following is the Press Release from Livable Thurston.

For Immediate Release For More Information, Contact:
Gayle Broadbent, 866-8246
Sandra Romero, 357-8131

Community leaders to explore global warming/land-use connection at Aug. 22 Forum

The public is cordially invited to a community forum, “Global Warming and Land Use” on Wednesday, August 22, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, at the Lincoln School, 213 21st Ave SE in Olympia.
Co-sponsors include Earth Ministry, Livable Thurston, League of Women Voters of Thurston County, Thurston Conservation Voters, Futurewise, The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and Climate Solutions.

Speakers representing a diverse range of interests will address the interrelationship of climate change and land use. The panel includes Paula Swedeen from Earth Economy; Sister Mimi Maloney of the Interfaith Works Earth Stewardship Committee; shellfish farmer Charlie Stephens from Kamilche Sea Farms; Sam Garst, owner of the first five-star Built Green house in Thurston County; and Allyson Brooks, PhD Director, Washington State Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation.

Sprawling and ill-planned development creates neighborhoods further away from jobs, schools, churches, and everything else we want to reach. I just sat for 20 minutes in a long line of cars trying to get off Mud Bay road over on the Westside, all those cars sitting there and idling, just so I could buy some milk and a box of grapes. Some studies say that traffic is the biggest source of carbon emissions within Washingto n state, and traffic is certainly a growing problem within Thurston County. explained Livable Thurston member Gayle Broadbent.

Global warming is not only an environmental problem, said Sister Mimi. At its core, it is a moral and ethical issue, and the responsibility of everyone.

Global warming is the challenge of our generation, said Donna Ewing, global warming activist with the League of Women Voters of Thurston County. How we address this challenge will determine the health of our states environment, the strength of our economy, and the future we will give to our kids.

Public participation is invited and encouraged.