Nowadays, this strait is the economic and cultural engine for a region of nearly five million people, including 19 federally recognized tribes, and four of Washington’s most significant cities: Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and Everett.
The future of two of Washington’s major economic activities – fishing and transportation – depends on the ecological health of Puget Sound.
However, this thriving region faces several environmental challenges that threaten the ecosystem and the economic well-being of those who live in the surrounding areas. These challenges have united a community of scientists and leading activists in pursuit of protecting the natural environment and the conservation of resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
Nowadays, this strait is the economic and cultural engine for a region of nearly five million people, including 19 federally recognized tribes, and four of Washington’s most significant cities: Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, and Everett.
The future of two of Washington’s major economic activities – fishing and transportation – depends on the ecological health of Puget Sound.
However, this thriving region faces several environmental challenges that threaten the ecosystem and the economic well-being of those who live in the surrounding areas. These challenges have united a community of scientists and leading activists in pursuit of protecting the natural environment and the conservation of resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
Puget Sound is located in the Pacific Northwest just off the north coast of Washington. This region consists of approximately1,020 square miles of a deep fjord carved out by the expansion of the Alaska Range ice sheet during the Late Pleistocene Era more than 13,000 years ago. Today, this system of bays, islands, and inlets represents the largest estuary in the continental United States.
PEOPLE OF THE WATER: ANCESTRAL STEWARDSHIP AND CONCERN FOR AN UNCERTAIN ECOLOGICAL FUTURE.
The Squaxin Tribe, at the southern end of the Puget Strait, preserves ancestral traditions to care for the coastline and its marine fauna, especially salmon. The future of the specie is linked to the physical, economic, and spiritual sustenance of the tribe.
SOURCE OF RESOURCES IN DANGER FOR SHELLFISH FARMERS.
Puget Sound shellfish farmers annually see the impacts of climate change in their crops. Reports of an increased percentage of oysters that die before reaching sufficient maturity to be marketed are common.
PORT OF SEATTLE: SOURCE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR HISPANIC YOUTH.
Washington’s maritime industry offers job opportunities with attractive wages that many young Hispanics have yet to discover. The Port of Seattle promotes such jobs in its commitment to inclusion and environmental protection.
THE ROLE OF HISPANIC YOUNG IN THE STRUGGLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
South Park is a community with a high concentration of Hispanics who live amidst various sources of pollution. Its youth promote environmental justice so that their community has the same access to a healthier and greener environment as the rest of Puget Sound.
MICROPLASTIC: DIRECT THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL WELFARE OF THE PUGET STRAIT.
The Seattle Aquarium analyzes evidence of the elevated concentration of microplastics in Elliott Bay. It also promotes the connection between humans and marine species through educational exhibits and community education.
Today, Puget Sound faces an uncertain environmental future. Its health will depend on many factors, the most important is the human one. The conservation or deterioration of the delicate set of ecosystems that make up this rich and beautiful region will depend on the actions of this and future generations. Although there is no way to repair all the damage, the scientific community remains hopeful of preventing future negative impacts through better education and incentives that highlight the responsibility of the residents of the region and those who visit the strait. Likewise, the solution will also depend on minority communities, who often must deal with the disproportionate impact of pollution, leading the work and being part of the decision-making process. In truth, the scientific community, activists, and those who promote economic growth in the region have common goals and agree on all the important points. Among them are these two: there are many reasons to remain hopeful, and the conservation and protection of Puget Sound is a shared mission.
Huella Zero works to increase climate and environmental communications in Latino communities.