The Nuclear Revival

As the world awakens to the possible catastrophe of climate change, the search is on for new sources of "green" energy. And the solution might lie with an unlikely source: nuclear power. Proponents of nuclear energy claim it's a clean form of power that can reduce, if not eliminate, our dependence on carbon-based fuels. In fact, the nuclear industry is carrying out a massive PR campaign to promote nuclear power as THE solution to the global warming crisis. Critics maintain that nuclear power is just as dangerous and expensive as ever, but the pro-nukes seem to be winning over a new generation of environmentalists too young to remember Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, or The China Syndrome. So, is nuclear power the answer to the climate change challenge? On the next CNX, we examine the pros, the cons and the costs of nuclear energy, and let you decide for yourself.

Green Watch

The weather is warming up and it's time to start fiddling in the garden. This week we bring you the latest tips for making your garden sustainable and earth friendly.

SEATTLE: You might think there is nothing more "green" than gardening, but that's not always the case. Chemical sprays and pesticides negatively impact the environment and are dangerous for the health of our families and pets. The trend is to move towards organic and sustainable gardening.

When it comes to pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, just leave them on the shelf. Attacking one species removes the food source for another species. Chemicals throw nature out of balance and create more work for the gardener in the long run.

The place to begin is with healthy organic soil. Soil can be enriched by tilling in a few inches of organic compost. Compost is organic matter composed of leaves, weeds and garden debris that is gathered into a pile and then naturally broken down by the sun's heat. Most commercial nurseries sell organic compost, or you can make your own. The city of Seattle sells plastic composting barrels to help you get started quickly.

Save yourself some work in autumn by allowing deciduous leaves to lie where they fall rather than taking out the rake. Using woodchips or arbor's chips for mulch will improve the soil's quality and conserve water by preventing run-off.

As temperatures heat up and water prices rise, it is key to think about how and when to water. The best time to water is early in the morning or early in the evening to prevent evaporation during the heat of the day. Watering right at the plant and allowing the water to penetrate deeply rather than surface watering will also save water. Finally, drip irrigation and soaker hoses are helpful in keeping water from escaping.

During July and August, it's time to let go of the perfect lawn--the Northwest allows us to enjoy a lush lawn the other 10 months of the year. Allow your lawn to go dormant for the hottest summer months and come back to it in the fall, when it's prime time to best time to aerate, top-dress and overseed.

When your garden is flourishing in the summer, you can cut back on weeds organically by spraying an solution of vinegar and clove on any unwanted species--the sun will shrivel up the plant.

Sustainable gardening practices are better for the environment, safer for human health, and less expensive. Simply pass on by the aisles and aisles of products lining nursery store shelves and just dig in and get dirty.

Roundtable

Enrique Cerna is joined by Democratic strategist Cathy Allen, Republican strategist Randy Pepple and Seattle Times columnist David Postman for a lively discussion of the week's news and events. On tap: Race, Wright and Obama--Can't we all just get along? Are some superdelegates wavering? What's the latest on the Governor's race? Will the Sonics be forced to stay? It'll all come out in the Roundtable.