Climate Change is Real – So Is the Movement for Progress
It’s a pivotal time to work on climate issues. NASA just released a reportconfirming 2014 as the hottest year on Earth since 1880. The US Senate (with a Republican majority nonetheless) agreed that climate change is real, “not a hoax.” Mainstream media regularly reports on the subject. “Climate change” is no longer considered an environmentalist’s phrase – it’s part of our everyday lexicon.
Locally, we see and feel its effects. Mt. Hood’s snowpack is at an all-time low – in fact, 20 sites around western Oregon have reported record low snowpack for the end of January. Less snow means less snowmelt runoff for our rivers and streams, a drier Oregon summer, and a longer wildfire season. We experience less distinctive Oregon drizzle, and more extreme downpours.
As evidence of the detrimental effects of climate change mounts, so does the sentiment that at long last we need to act. Yet alongside that sentiment is a feeling of being overwhelmed, of not knowing where to begin or how best to effectively combat climate change on a local, state, regional, national and planetary scale. It’s easy to feel a bit dazed looking at the evidence, and to worry that nothing we do will make a difference. But that simply isn’t true. In my first month as the Oregon Environmental Council’s new Climate Campaign Communications & Outreach Manager, I have been made privy to a world of exciting, inspiring and smart conversations about climate. There is a movement building. There are so many reasons to feel hopeful.
In the span of a mere four weeks, I have seen members of our labor community united with the environmental community to strategize on green job creation. I’ve conducted outreach alongside members of the faith community, working from a shared moral imperative to protect the planet that God has bestowed upon us and placed in our care. I’m organizing outreach with elders who approached us with a heartfelt desire to become more deeply engaged in climate work, fueled by the belief that they must create a better world for future generations, and based on the successes their generation was able to foster in decades past. And I have worked with the climate community to champion each other’s priorities – from the Clean Fuels Program, to Coal to Clean, to a transportation package making mass transmit more accessible and equitable.
There is a vibrant, engaged citizenry working on climate issues. While some may err to argue Oregon’s miniscule role in influencing climate progress, the fact is that Oregon has a history of pioneering environmental changes that have become national in scope. OEC has helped lead this charge. If you look at any “green” idea that put Oregon on the map, from the Bottle Bill, to landmark land-use planning laws, to curbside recycling, you’ll find that OEC was integrally involved, if not the driving force, behind these critical milestone protections.
On September 29, 2023, OEC gathered with a growing coalition of community-based organizations, lawmakers, and business groups following oral arguments heard by the Oregon Court of Appeals to rally behind the Oregon Climate Protection Program (CPP), which is under attack from the fossil fuel industry.OREGON’S CLIMATE PROTECTION PROGRAM
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program (CPP) is a cornerstone in our st
Oregon’s 2023 Legislative Session ended with a momentous victory in the fight against climate change with the passage of the bipartisan Climate Resilience Package (HB 3409 & HB 3630). With over $90 million in funding and strategic leveraging of federal investments, this victory represents significant progress in our relentless pursuit of a climate-resilient future for Oregon.
Oregon has taken resolute action in protecting workers from dangerous conditions caused by the worsening climate crisis. On June 7, 2023, Governor Tina Kotek signed into law Senate Bill 907, the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work. This law builds a past victory for worker safety achieved by the OEC and coalition partners in implementing permanent heat and smoke rules, fortifying our state’s commitment to shielding workers from the dangers of an increasingly volatile cl
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2023
Media Contact
Kat Driessen, kat@empirical.media
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority today released a comprehensive report on the public health impacts of climate change in Oregon. The “2021-2022 Climate and Health in Oregon Rep
Oregon’s farms, forests, urban parks, wetlands, and other natural lands shape our state’s landscape and economy and are an essential source of life-sustaining resources. OEC is part of a coalition working to protect these lands from climate extremes and harness their potential as a climate solution.
A few years ago, the prospect of Oregon taking meaningful action on climate was dim. Republicans had just fled the capital to prevent the elected majority of state leaders from moving forward with a vote (a tactic now widely condemned by Oregon voters via Measure 113), effectively
The 2023 legislative session presents a vital opportunity to make progress in achieving our climate goals and protect families and communities from ever-worsening climate impacts. OEC is excited to support a “Building Resilience” policy package this session that will cut pollution and increase the climate resilience of our homes and buildings
Industry plaintiffs brought two claims against rules to protect workers in Oregon from the harmful and dangerous impacts of exposure to heat and smoke. Both suits were dismissed “with prejudice” which means they were dismissed permanently and cannot be brought to Court again.
On December 20, 2022, the U.S. District Court in Medford dismissed
Oregon just took a huge step toward reducing climate and air pollution from our top emitting sector. The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) today adopted an expanded Clean Fuels Program, more than tripling our existing standard to make it the strongest in the nation. See our joint press release here.
For Immediate Release
September 7, 2022
Salem, OR – A coalition of environmental justice, climate, and business organizations today filed a legal intervention
1 Reply to "Climate Change is Real – So Is the Movement for Progress"
Margaret Smith
February 4, 2015 (11:40 pm)
Very well said. What people don’t talk about is the reality that our species may not survive. If left unchecked, climate change will eventually make it unbearable to be outdoors and humans will be forced to live inside or underground until finally we will no longer be here…but the Earth will probably keep spinning along without us.
Margaret Smith
February 4, 2015 (11:40 pm)
Very well said. What people don’t talk about is the reality that our species may not survive. If left unchecked, climate change will eventually make it unbearable to be outdoors and humans will be forced to live inside or underground until finally we will no longer be here…but the Earth will probably keep spinning along without us.