Articles written by Don C. Brunell
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Bracing for bigger changes in the aftermath
Now that vaccines are available, we hope our lives will return to the way they were before the coronavirus pandemic blanketed the globe. That is not likely to occur. Last March our... — Updated 1/14/2021
Wildfires were the 'big polluters' of 2020
While the coronavirus and its devastating effects on people and economies worldwide were unfortunately the top 2020 stories, the massive impact of western wildfires can’t be... — Updated 1/7/2021
E-waste reduction needs new approaches
“One of the biggest challenges of the 21st Century is dealing with the progress of the 20th Century – especially old computers, monitors, cellular phones and televisions. These... — Updated 12/10/2020
Coronavirus spurring air cargo growth
It’s no secret that airlines and airplane manufacturers have been clobbered by the coronavirus pandemic. Particularly hard hit are international flights traditionally flown by jum... — Updated 12/3/2020
Diversity in America's military branches
Diversity in the ranks has been the lifeline of our all-volunteer military, but it wasn’t always that way. As we celebrate Veterans Day, we ought to be thankful for all of the men... — Updated 11/19/2020
President uses rare order to break China's hammerlock on critical metals
To the average American, China’s control of the world production, processing technology and stockpile of critical metals is not their concern. However, to our military and... — Updated 11/5/2020
China's stranglehold on critical metals
To the average American, China’s control of the world production, processing technology and stockpile of critical metals is not their concern. However, to our military and... — Updated 10/22/2020
Coronavirus compounding recycling calamity
What happens in China, doesn’t always stay in China. We learned that a couple of years ago when the Chinese stopped buying massive volumes of the world’s used paper, plastics... — Updated 9/24/2020
Time to revisit forest management
Not only is the world in the grasp of the COVID-19 pandemic, but America’s western wildlands are burning up as well. Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters California has a dual... — Updated 9/17/2020
Alaska Airlines positions for a comeback
It is no secret that airlines were clobbered by the coronavirus pandemic. What started as a promising year quickly went south. The COVID-19 outbreak has all but shut down travel. To... — Updated 9/2/2020
The Green New Deal is incomplete
Our environmental quality strategy must be encompassing and not just focus on climate change. Since Democrats announced their Green New Deal, the emphasis is reducing greenhouse... — Updated 8/18/2020
Good news that would make 'Scoop' Jackson happy
That actually happened in the course of the last month. The result would undoubtedly please the legendary U.S. Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (D-WA) - the master problem solver. In... — Updated 8/13/2020
Like Poland, America needs change
On July 4, 1975, America proudly celebrated its Bicentennial as the world’s greatest nation while Poland was a suppressed Soviet satellite state. Poles had no right to free... — Updated 7/10/2020
Washington needs to change to stay on top
In early June, the financial website WalletHub released its rankings of “Best and Worse State Economies” and Washington led the field of 51 as best by a healthy margin.... — Updated 7/1/2020
China's push for high-tech dominance
While the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest are front page news, China’s unrelenting push to leap over our country in critical technology and hoarding of strategic metals... — Updated 7/1/2020
Run on toilet paper is just the tip of the iceberg
If you think the run on toilet paper is just an American thing, think again. On March 10, Business Insider reported: “The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it... — Updated 3/18/2020
Solution needed for turbine blades
While wind farms generate “greenhouse gas free” electricity, there is increasing concern over the rapidly growing number of worn out blades ending up in landfills. Those... — Updated 3/4/2020
Healthy workers key to virus control
Keeping hospitals and health workers healthy is key to fighting diseases. With new and more deadly viruses, the job is more challenging. Although the coronavirus has captured the... — Updated 2/20/2020
Business Commentary: Copper is making a comeback
Government leaders, doctors, and medical researchers worldwide are working feverishly to stop the spread of the coronavirus and keep it from becoming a global pandemic. Wuhan, one o... — Updated 1/30/2020
Column: Sulfur standard aims to curtail maritime fuel oil
With the new decade comes an international air pollution regulation which hastens the switch from high sulfur fuel oil to either diesel or LNG in ocean-going ships. The mandate... — Updated 1/8/2020
Column: For the sake of Washington's economy, Boeing needs strong tailwinds in 2020
As we launch into 2020 and the ensuing decade, Boeing faces very strong head winds which are major concerns for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest. Things are vastly... — Updated 1/2/2020
Column: Caring local small businesses make ours 'A Wonderful Life'
At Christmas, millions watch the 1946 movie classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” While it is labeled “fantasy drama”, the show gives us a glimpse of reality and reminds us... — Updated 12/26/2019
Column: Bridges shouldn't have to sink to be replaced
Bridges shouldn’t have to sink to be replaced. However, at times that’s what it takes. Too often new projects succumb to years of fighting among interest groups and endless... — Updated 12/19/2019
Column: Hydrogen fuel cells gaining momentum
In the coming decade, investors are betting that hydrogen will become a prominent fuel which can eliminate CO2 discharges from the vehicles it energizes. According to the U.S. Energ... — Updated 12/12/2019
Column: Retail-tainment may save malls in future
Preliminary sales trends from Small Business Saturday show a continuing increase in smartphone purchases even among shoppers patronizing local merchants. According to the... — Updated 12/5/2019
