Libby, Montana, is one of those old mining towns that got the short stick environmentally after the logging and mining companies closed down, leaving severely polluted earth and air behind them.  It was designated as a Superfund site in 2000 as a result of the asbestos-contaminated soils left in the area when W.R. Grace closed down the last vermiculite mine.  Much has been written and chronicles about the asbestos dangers to the population of 2900 remaining folks.

The military now says that climate change will be damaging for this country and our national security.  According to a recent article in the NYT, "a growing number of policy makers say that the world’s rising temperatures, surging seas and melting glaciers are a direct threat to the national interest. . . Recent war games and intelligence studies conclude that over the next 20 to 30 years, vulnerable regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia, will face the prospect of food shortages, water crises and catastrophic flooding driven by climate change that could demand an American humanitarian relief or military response."

A new poll out of the University of Maryland by Global Public Opinion suggests that Americans place a lower priority on addressing the climate change crisis than 18 other nations polled.  The question was, "How high of a priority should the government place on global warming?" with answers from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest priority.  The poll sampled 18,578 people in the 19 countries.   Americans said 4.71.  Chinese said 8.86.  Mexicans said 9.09.  And so it went.  Even in India, which has recently refused to commit to lower pollution rates, 7.52 percent said they wanted their country to address the issue.  Russians said 7.39.  Americans places the priority at the lowest of all the nations polled.

Jim Wilcox, of the Wilcox Family Farms, has slowly become a believer in sustainable agricultural methods.  According to an article in the Tacoma News Tribune, he says of Wilcox Farm's shifts, “We’re changing for two reasons.  One, it’s good business, and, two, it’s the right thing to do.” . . . “Twenty to 30 years ago, we weren’t very good stewards of the land,” he said. “We’ve kind of seen the light.”

Wilcox Farms has been in business 100 years this week. The family has 1,500 acres along a mile-long stretch of the Nisqually River; they've been selling milk and eggs, at one point selling 1 million gallons of milk a week.

Our neighboring city to the north, Vancouver B.C., is fast becoming one of the most innovative, green cities in the world.  It draws 90% of its energy from renewables.  Under the progressive governance of Gregor Robertson, the just-reelected mayor, they are looking to become a hub for green jobs and sustainable industry.   Unlike most other North American cities, Vancouver appears to be meeting the coming climate crisis head-on.

Last Saturday was the second monthly South Park "Market on Wheels".  This is a new Latino-themed farmers market in the middle of the South Park neighborhood.  There are 26 vendors signed up who bring fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, jewelry and more to sell.  They also generally have lively music in a corner of the market.  This year the markets are once a month on the third Saturday of each month.  Next year, with luck, they will be able to go weekly, allow people who grow small amounts of a single crop space to sell what they grow, have a youth-grow program and more.  Next markets will be Aug. 15th and Sept. 19th.  It's worth the visit.