Joining Oregon’s Climate Advocates in Washington DC

  • "stop trump's climate chaos" projected on DC building

This month, I joined a Climate Action Campaign advocacy trip to DC—my first time participating in this critical work since the coalition began organizing these efforts 13 years ago. This “big green” coalition has real influence, having helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, and brings together advocates from across the country to push for federal climate action.

Together, our mission was clear:

  1. Fully fund federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in upcoming budget appropriations
  2. Push back against the Trump Administration’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding—the backbone of federal climate regulations since 2009 that requires EPA action on CO2, methane, and other heat-trapping pollutants under the Clean Air Act

OEC joined three other Oregon groups (Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, and the Environmental Center) to champion these issues and Oregon environmental justice values. We had productive conversations with lawmakers who truly understand climate impacts, and shared with them quotes from OEC members and staff about why climate impacts matter to them and their communities.

ben and coalition partners and rep bynumRepresentative Janelle Bynum shared a powerful story from her own district: when wildfires break out in a rural small town, volunteer firefighters work tirelessly to protect the forest canopy.  If they lose the canopy, this has compounding impacts on the local water supply, such as triggering algae blooms that can shut down the entire town’s water filtration system. These aren’t abstract policy discussions—they’re about real communities losing basic services to climate chaos.

The message was unmistakable: state climate policy matters more than ever. In this moment, Oregon’s federal leaders look to state government and advocacy groups as partners on clean energy and grid development, building and transportation electrification, and environmental health or water issues. They’re eager for more collaboration, resource sharing, and defense of Oregon’s environmental justice values.

Most importantly, working in coalition makes all the difference. Multiple voices representing different Oregon constituencies creates lasting impact. Even as we face federal rollbacks, we’re stronger together.

The climate crisis won’t wait for political convenience. Neither will we.

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