14 results for tag: air pollution

REBuilding Task Force Delivers Recommendations

The buildings we use for homes, workplaces, and gathering spaces play a special role in the future of our changing climate. They can provide a safe place to escape extreme heat, storms, or wildfires caused by climate change. But when those same buildings rely on fracked methane (“natural”) gas, the air insides in unsafe to breathe and methane is one of the worst climate pollutants. A special state task force came together to tackle this issue and recently recommended some practical, common-sense policies that can make Oregon’s buildings safer, lower energy bills, and reduce pollution. Now we need to act on their recommendations. Oregon ...

Building for a Better Future

Right now, there is an important conversation happening in Oregon, and around the country, about buildings. The buildings in which we live and work are a critical piece of the climate puzzle. They are both vital to reducing climate change causing fossil fuels and our first line of defense against climate harms like extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and air pollution.  Buildings are the second largest–and growing–source of climate pollution in Oregon, responsible for 34 percent of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to the fossil fuels used for electricity to power our homes and buildings, and the fossil gas piped in for heating ...

Why Does Congestion Pricing Matter?

As ODOT considers transportation pricing in the Portland region, we explain why “congestion pricing” is the most effective long-term way to address our traffic woes.

Transportation Pricing for Equitable Mobility

The roads belong to the public. We own the right-of-way, the sidewalks and curbs and the street.

Something big on climate will happen in 2020

Oregon Environmental Council, through a coalition of organizations, has filed ballot proposals for the 2020 general election that will place our state on a path toward a 100% Clean Economy and 100% Clean Electricity for everyone. Tomorrow, we formally launch our campaign. Be the first to follow 100% Ready for Clean Air: FACEBOOK | TWITTER Oregon is ready to transition off fossil fuels and build a 100% clean economy. Oregon must do our part as a leader to protect the natural heritage of clean air and clean water we’re so proud of. Seven of 10 Oregonians continue supporting a cap-and-trade policy, yet we can’t guarantee the state Legisla...

Youth activism continues to inspire, push for bold climate action

Youth from around the globe came together for an intense week of climate action this September. They organized gatherings, rallies, marches, speeches, direct actions, and events to bring awareness to the current climate crisis and push decision-makers to take meaningful action on climate.

Air Pollution Facts & Tips

As a resource for communities around the state, Oregon Environmental Council has developed a fact sheet that describes how air pollution affects Oregonians’ health, the major sources of air pollution in Oregon, and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. This fact sheet is available in English, Chinese-simplified, Chinese-traditional, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Oregon Environmental Council has been a long-time champion for health-first clean air solutions. We promote protective public policies, including the 2019 diesel clean-up bill; provide tips on how to reduce personal exposure to air pollution as well as how to ...

Join us for a Statewide Day of Action

In the unprecedented world facing us, what’s the most powerful statement you can make? It’s showing up to say I care about protecting people, defending clean air and water, and giving our kids a better life. On Saturday, Nov. 4th, we all need to show up. Check it out. Oregonians have been organizing for years. On November 4th, people across the state gather to show our legislators we can't wait any longer for a strong, equitable climate policy in Oregon. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get together with friends, enjoy a beverage and talk about shared values, then look no farther. Join Oregon Environmental Council, founding ...

When Clean Fuels Win, So Does the Climate, Our Air, Our Oregon

Good news in the environmental world can feel hard to come by these days. That’s why it's more important than ever that we elevate and celebrate local success stories. SeQuential Biofuels is one of those local stories worth celebrating. An Oregon business that recycles used cooking oil, SeQuential takes waste that would otherwise be thrown out with the nightly trash, and converts it into clean burning biodiesel. An early participant in the Oregon Clean Fuels Standard, Portland-based SeQuential is proving that the Standard is a success. Their company is growing, and their biodiesel is sold all over the state (you may have even bought their fuel ...

A Report Card for our Climate: Oregon Gets Graded

Wonder how Oregon is doing at meeting climate and clean energy goals? A new, visually-compelling Clean Energy Report Card grades Oregon’s progress toward a clean energy economy, and shows a suite of solutions which will create good paying jobs, make the air cleaner and promote healthy communities. The Report Card also provides inspiring examples of clean energy solutions--like how Pendelton has become a leader in solar installations. It includes surprising facts, including that transit projects create 70% more jobs compared to highway projects. It underscores that Oregon needs several solutions working together to accelerate the clean energy ...