329 results for author: admin

Navigating Our Way Towards A Sustainable Plastics Future

—Belinda McFadgen, for OECWhen Victor Vescovo was about to dive into the deepest part of the world’s oceans, he was probably not expecting any plastic to beat him to it. However, deep down in the Pacific Ocean there exists the Mariana Trench, where Victor spotted a plastic bag and several sweet wrappersfloating almost 7 miles below sea level.Perhaps this should come as no surprise. While humans produce approximately 78 million tons of plastic per year (see infographic below), and an alarming 86% of this ends its life as non-recycled plastic waste.The plastics crisis is a global phenomenon, and to address it we require comprehensi...

We’re looking for an Environmental Health Program Director

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITYOregon Environmental Council (OEC) seeks a skilled and motivated environmental health program director to advance public policies and programs that will protect Oregonians from exposure to harmful chemicals. By reducing toxics in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the buildings we occupy, and the products we use in our everyday lives, OEC seeks to improve health outcomes, especially for those who are most vulnerable and who bear a disproportionate burden of exposure (children, the elderly, communities of color, and low-wealth communities).The environmental health program director will (1) build the case for ...

We’re looking for an Accounting & Payroll Specialist

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITYOEC’s Accounting & Payroll Specialist has primary responsibility for the organization’s accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, grant financial reporting and records management, and employee benefit enrollments. Additionally, the Specialist prepares many of the monthly journal entries and plays a supporting role in all other aspects of the organization’s finance, accounting and administrative operations. The right candidate will:have the bookkeeping experience necessary to lead our A/P, A/R and payroll processes be detail-oriented and able to consistently perform tasks with ...

Plastic Un-fantastic

The toxic effects of plastics pollution on human health —Belinda McFadgen, for OECIn early March of 2019, a Cuvier’s beaked whale washed up dead in the Philippines. The whale had died of gastric shock, brought on by the 88 lbs. of plastic bags found in its stomach.The sheer volume of plastic waste and its brutal impact on marine wildlife is shocking. But just as disturbing is the emerging story of how the toxicity of plastic pollution is affecting human health and the health of the planet as a whole. A growing understanding of toxic effects More than twenty years ago, a health hazard from widespread plastic use made headlines. In 1993, ...

Know what’s in your well

Nearly one in four people living in Oregon get their drinking water from a well.If you are one of them, you have the right to know what’s in your water. Domestic well water can be contaminated by bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic, among other things—all of which can have serious health impacts.Why should you be concerned? These contaminants can cause serious health problems such as cancer, miscarriage and thyroid disorders. Pregnant women and small children are particularly at risk from nitrate exposure, especially infants because their digestive and enzyme systems are not fully developed. High levels of nitrates can cause infants to ...

OEC welcomes Interim Executive Director, Development Director

We are delighted to share that OEC’s Board Executive Transition Committee has selected Diana Nuñez to serve as OEC’s Interim Executive Director ... and Teke Dillender will return to OEC to lead our Development Department.

OEC applauds legislators who prioritize constituents over corporate interests

Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) applauds the work of The Oregonian/OregonLive to shine light on the role that corporate campaign donors play in shaping environmental policy.In our 50 years of advocacy for environmental policies and practices, our organization has witnessed the extraordinary pressure that can be exerted by corporate interests far beyond the hearing rooms and the floor of legislature. Businesses and corporations have the power and influence to be either great champions for Oregon’s health and environment, or intractable obstacles to creating positive change. In Oregon, many of these industry groups have chosen to be obstacles ...

Oregon Environmental Council: Andrea Durbin to transition to City of Portland leadership

Oregon Environmental Council: Andrea Durbin to transition to City of Portland leadership

5 things to know about Clean Energy Jobs in 2019 (Updated)

As Oregonians get energized for clean energy legislation, we’re asking you to contact your legislators (more info below) to urge support for passing the Clean Energy Jobs.

Stepping Up Efforts to Reduce Plastic Pollution in Oregon

By Belinda McFadgen, OEC Volunteer.“Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our oceans and rivers and threaten wildlife for centuries.” That’s how our friends at Environment Oregon describe the problem of pollution from straws, bags, take-out containers and other single-use plastics. And now, after 14 communities across Oregon have adopted ways to limit single-use plastics, Environment Oregon and Surfrider Foundation are leading an effort to apply solutions statewide.THE 2019 BILLSSB 90 and HB 2670 would require restaurants to provide plastic drinking straws only upon customer request. [How these bills fared: SB ...