Can Poetry Save Us from Our Global Environmental Crisis?
I have to admit that, after decades of work as an environmental advocate, I still find it slightly awkward to tell people that my educational training is in fine arts.
But if you think about it for a moment, it makes sense. Environmental solutions, just like poetry, require imagination, vision and passion. I’d bet that, if you take a close look at the staff at our nation’s most effective environmental groups, you’d find not only scientists and public policy experts but also artists, musicians and writers. It’s certainly true at Oregon Environmental Council.
There’s clear evidence that OEC gets results with the way we make change, and it has a lot to do with law, policy and economics. But is there a part of the formula for really transformative change that might actually include poetry?
I recently asked this question of a small crowd gathered for a TedX event near my home town in Minnesota. I’m happy to be able to share it with you, and I’d be curious to hear your thoughts.
2024 Legislative Wrap-Up: 5 Key Environmental Wins
The doors are now closed on this year’s “short,” 35-day legislative session in Oregon. Traditionally, the short session is used to re-balance the budget, tweak existing statutes and wrap-up unfinished business from the long session. However, in recent years the legislature has shifted to taking up one or two major issues, as well. This presents a huge opportunity for advocacy groups like OEC where there are no off years for climate and environmental justi
March 18, 2024, 12:03 pm
0
Sweeping Environmental Wins in Oregon’s 2023 Legislative Session
At the end of the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session, OEC is proud to have secured several major policy victories that will benefit Oregonians and our shared environment. Thanks to our coalition partners, supporters, and legislative champions, the Oregon legislature delivered critical action to reduce climate and air pollution, support healthy, affordable, resilient communities, and leverage once-in-a-lifetime federal funding for clean energy and clean water infrastructure.
Healthy
June 29, 2023, 11:40 am
0
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Contact:
Jana Gastellum, [email protected], (360) 618-2722
SALEM, Ore.– Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) called on State Senators who have walked out of the Capitol to return to work and vote on critical environmental legislation.
May 25, 2023, 11:26 am
0
#gallery-1 {
margin: auto;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-item {
float: left;
margin-top: 10px;
text-align: center;
width: 33%;
}
#gallery-1 img {
border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;
}
#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {
margin-left: 0;
}
/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
April 4, 2023, 9:33 pm
0
Honoring Black Environmental Leadership
It’s Black History Month, and we want to acknowledge and celebrate the many ways Black activists, visionaries, communities, families, and youth leaders have made a powerful difference in the environmental movement in Oregon and around the world. OEC is proud to work alongside and in support of partners like NAACP-Eugene, C
February 15, 2023, 9:51 pm
0
A Natural Vision for Water Part 3: Advancing Health and Environmental Justice
By Lynny Brown, Health & Outdoors Partner for Willamette Partnership and co-author of the Natural Infrastructure in Oregon report. As an environmental public health professional, Lynny advocates for a
May 25, 2021, 11:40 pm
0
