It’s So Hard… to Say Goodbye… to James Rasmussen
(in the style of Boyz 2 Men)
As we begin summer, a monumental season in local environmental justice is closing…the indomitable James Rasmussen will be leaving us this month to retire in style in sunny Las Vegas. We wish our departing colleague a fond farewell and the best of luck in Sin City!! Jame’s lifetime of dedication and tireless advocacy cannot be overstated and his impact will be felt for generations to come. July 5th marks the traditional start of summer here in the PNW, and our first 90 plus degree day of the summer was a reminder that the South Park and Georgetown communities have the least amount of of green space available in the region, and some of the worst air quality in the nation, which is exacerbated by rising temperatures, increasing wildfires and longer, hotter summers which turn our neck of the woods in to what’s referred to as a heat island. The Environmental Protection Agency defines heat islands as “... urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies…” (EPA 2022). One of South Park’s most valuable assets in combating the heat island effects of climate change, the Duwamish River Waterway Park, remains closed for the foreseeable future as state agencies take over the cleanup effort from city officials. Stay tuned for updates on the status of the park and upcoming neighborhood events to keep the community informed and engaged in the battle for green space in the Duwamish Valley!
Christian Poulsen
Communications & Policy Analyst
Duwamish River Community Coalition
