The Voice for Industry
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It took a few turns of the 24-hour news cycle, but some
inconvenient truths are beginning to emerge in the avalanche of news
coverage and commentary regarding the decision to list the Alaskan polar
bear for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.The New York Times editorial page - of all places - concedes the listing "probably should not have to carry the burden of solving global warming," but key environmental groups are now demanding that it should do exactly that.
The Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and the National Resources Defense Council announced May 20 they will sue to use the polar bear listing as a means to require curbs on greenhouse emissions in the Lower 48.
In listing the bear for ESA protection, the Bush administration announced the decision would not be used to dictate national policies regarding climate change, but, as the new legal challenge make clear, the listing opened a Pandora's Box bursting with all kinds of possibilities.
Make no mistake: Alaska's polar bears are impacted by summer reductions in the ice pack because the ice provides an ideal feeding platform for their favored protein source, ringed seals. But, we're a long way from knowing if this constitutes a threat to survival of the species. Polar bears survived earlier periods of significant global warming and many polar bears in Canada live farther south, and spend more time on land, than do their Alaskan cousins.
Canada, which is home to two-thirds of the world's polar bears, has considered endangered species status for its polar bears but is holding off because of the uncertainties and the simple fact that endangered species laws cannot do squat to impact the changing temperatures and wind conditions that are impacting Arctic ice.
But, as shown by the new legal challenges, ESA provides a new legal alternative for pursuing national policies regarding climate change without need for Congressional action, debate or scrutiny. Worse, the lawyers are revving up while our collective conventional wisdom about polar bears appears to be based largely on holiday season Coca Cola commercials.
Stay tuned. The real polar bear show is just beginning.
2008 Washington Manufacturing Appreciation
Award Ceremony and
Sixth Annual Symposium
Awards Ceremony, June 2:
Join the Manufacturing Industrial Council, U.S. Department of Commerce and
as many elected officials as we can cajole into joining us at Salty's for
a seafood buffet and no host bar. We'll recognize Western Washington
companies for their successful entry into new export markets. RSVP at www.camps-us.com/symposium.
For more details on the reception click
here.
Symposium, June 3: Join the Center for Advanced
Manufacturing Puget Sound (CAMPS) and other sponsoring organizations at a
symposium on industrial topics of the day. At Emerald Downs in Auburn
we'll be enjoying a luncheon that honors Genie Industries and gets the
latest Northwest Industrial Index update by our own Dave Gering.
Additional sessions will include a Supply Chain Boot Camp and information
about accessing Alberta Canada's $175 Billion market entitled "The Boom
Next Door." RSVP at www.camps-us.com/symposium.
Georgetown Campus Open for
Business!
South Seattle Community College new buildings dedication at
the Georgetown Campus is May 28, 2008, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Light lunch
provided. RSVP at
(206)764-5809. Click here
for more information (pdf)
Duwamish Visioning
Survey
Please take our short
survey about the Duwamish Valley industrial area. The survey results will
help us guide our Future Map design, and assist with the larger,
coordinated planning efforts that need to happen in the Duwamish areas.
Click on Duwamish Visioning Survey button on the right (the cute picture
of the Heron) The survey will only take a few minutes, and you are welcome
to forward this link to your staff, or others you know who work or own
businesses in the Duwamish area.
We appreciate your time, and hope
to see you on June 4th at our Duwamish Valley Future event being held at
REI Flagship Store, 222 Yale North from 6-8:30pm.
For more
information, please call: 206-954-0218 / info@duwamishcleanup.org
Doing International Business
Online?
Web Revolution for
Business is a half day seminar offered by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The program provides information on how to best utilize your website for
marketing, to determine shipping needs, and how to legally gather and
maintain your website content and buyer information. Learn how to promote
your business and increase international sales using online tools and
about regulations worldwide that affect website design, marketing, and
e-commerce, Safe Harbor and how to keep your company out of trouble.
Hear from experts at Google, FEDEX, and Baker & McKenzie (a
law firm established in 1949, with 70 offices in 38 countries).
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2008:
Venue: Husky Union Building,
Room 108, University of WA
Cost: $60
Click here
to register:
www.seattleindustry.org
Spring 2008 issue
NOW Avalible. Email us for your copy.
Past eBulletins
Time for a Makeover
Manufacturing Growth
Bike To Work Week
Language of Work
$431 Million & Counting-Changes for Mercer
We Need
You
Do you
like what you are hearing from us? The Manufacturing Industrial Council is
a member based, non-profit organization that advocates for manufacturing
businesses, and we need you! To become a member click
here.
New
Members
Public Stadium Authority
Pacific Fisherman
Shipyard
Rudd Co Inc
More
Info?
Questions, Comments, or suggestions about the Seattle Industry
eBulletin are always welcome. Your input will make the bulletin a more
successful product. Contact us at (206)762-2470 or fax
(206)762-2492.