Bellamy Pailthorp
Environment ReporterBellamy Pailthorp covers the KNKX environment beat with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. Bellamy likes reporting stories about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities. Story tips can be sent to bpailthorp@knkx.org.
Fluent in German, Bellamy worked in Berlin and has a masters in journalism from Columbia University. She joined KNKX (then KPLU) in 1999. From 2000-2012, she covered the business and labor beat for KNKX. Outside work, she practices yoga, enjoys tasting new foods and is frequently on the water with her rowing team.
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Buildings are the second largest source of climate pollution in Washington. Seattle City Council passed a policy Tuesday requiring existing structures over 20,000 square feet to get to net-zero emissions by 2050.
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Hundreds of shimmering silver steelhead have "come home" to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. "The Salmon School" sculpture has traveled around the world to raise awareness about the plight of salmon, especially in light of climate change.
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Seattle has a reputation as a left-leaning, ‘green’ city, but the current city council has not had a committee to address climate change. Now, a new select committee has the sole focus of curbing emissions from large buildings.
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The Makah tribe is getting closer to reviving a traditional whale hunt. The final Environmental Impact Statement on their request recommends granting the waiver, allowing for a limited hunt off the west coast of Washington state.
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A coalition of activists is pointing to Tacoma’s approval of Bridge Industrial's huge warehouse development as environmental racism.
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Members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe harvested about 200 coho salmon from their home river in October – fewer than expected, but it marked a milestone for river restoration and a new subsistence fishery.
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Seattle City Light is installing 31 public curbside chargers for electric vehicles in neighborhoods less likely to have garages or driveways. The pilot project, one of several EV charging programs, is intended to remove barriers for switching to EVs.
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Tribal members are once again fishing for salmon on the Elwha River. The ceremonial subsistence fishery is the first time anyone has been allowed to fish there since dam removal a decade ago.
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Washington state plans to conserve 2,000 acres of state forest, that would otherwise be logged, to absorb carbon dioxide. Activists want more. KNKX environment reporter Bellamy Pailthorp explains the potential of this climate solution, and the obstacles to implementing it.
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The National Science Foundation is awarding $15 million dollars over five years for a new Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center. It will focus on the potentially disastrous subduction zone off the West Coast.