66 results for tag: climate change
UN Announces Overshooting 1.5°C Is Inevitable. What Comes Next?
A decade ago, global powers came together to create a shared climate goal: the Paris Agreement. Through this process, countries agreed to pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures to avoid the worst risks and potential impacts of climate change.
But earlier this month, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) announced sobering news: Crossing the 1.5°C threshold, and exceeding it, is imminent – and it’s likely to occur within the next few years.
Climate scientists have long been sounding alarms about this inevitability, and the UNEP has officially confirmed that it is ...
How To Stay Safe During Oregon’s Wildfire Season
Oregon’s wildfire season is off to an early and dangerous start.
Already, dozens of wildfires have burned nearly 2 million acres – more than four times last year’s total. At least 24,000 Oregonians are currently under some level of evacuation notice. Families across the state are facing the health risks of steadily worsening air quality as smoke rolls in.
Sadly, with August and September still ahead of us, the worst is likely yet to come. We’re deeply grateful for the frontline firefighters (both in- and out-of-state), volunteers, and state leaders working to safeguard our communities.
Tips To Stay Safe
Our hearts are with each and ...
Extreme Heat, Rising Bills, and the Case for Electrification
A longtime friend texted me this past weekend.
“News said there’s a heatwave in Portland. I checked the weather app and it just seems like ‘normal’ Texas temperatures.” He lives on the east coast and has never visited Oregon. This is my second summer in Portland since I moved here from Austin.
“So many ppl up here don’t have AC!” I replied. “Like 25% of Oregon vs 2% of Texas.” He sent back a single emoji: 🥵.
If there’s no relief, extreme heat can be unbearable—even deadly. And weather disasters like these that were considered ‘once-in-a-century’ are now just a few years (sometimes weeks) apart. To stop climate ...
Make Earth Month Count in 2025
Earth Day and OEC were formed just a year apart (1970 and 1969, respectively), and our collective missions have always been parallel. OEC's work has proven that strong, lasting environmental protections are possible when we work together. From the nation’s first Bottle Bill to the Clean Fuels Program (which has cut 10M tons of carbon emissions – and counting – from our atmosphere). Just as our movement has progressed, so has Earth Day. It evolved into Earth Month, and the celebration of all that’s beautiful about our planet continues to serve as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the place we love.
As ...
The Clean Grid Explained: Key Terms for Understanding How Electricity Moves in Oregon
Clean energy is the backbone for reaching our climate goals and helping to cut climate pollution in buildings, transportation, and industry. In the upcoming 2025 legislative session, OEC will collaborate with partners to keep moving forward on our clean energy goals. As climate-fueled disasters like wildfires, scorching heat, and drought in our own backyard become increasingly hard to ignore, it’s more important than ever that we accelerate our progress.
Enter: The electricity grid. You’ve probably heard the term – though you’re not alone if you don’t know what it really means. Broadly speaking, the grid is the entire ...
Oregon’s Climate Protection Program is Restored!
Oregon just scored a major environmental victory! In a unanimous vote, the Environmental Quality Commission (ECQ) adopted the newly revised Climate Protection Program, reinstating the landmark policy at a time when climate action is critical. This marks the most significant climate action taken in the wake of the federal election.
Now, Oregon’s most influential climate policy is back on the books thanks to the thoughtful work of Governor Kotek's office and the Department of Environmental Quality staff. It couldn’t have been done without collective dedication and grit. Thousands of Oregonians, including OEC members and action takers, stood up ...
Clean Tech: Greener, Richer, Freer
More and more people in Oregon and across the United States are embracing electric vehicles and efficient HVAC systems to heat and cool their homes. Individual decisions like these will help Oregon deliver on its climate goals, but is our state missing a big opportunity to create thousands of jobs building clean energy technologies? Hear from industry experts who spoke at our latest Business & Environment Forum about Oregon’s chance to be a leader in clean tech.
Update: OR OSHA publishes final rules governing the right to refuse dangerous work
Earlier this year, OEC and partners helped win a bill to give workers the right to refuse hazardous work (SB 907). We stayed at the table and provided information on how Oregon OSHA should carry out the intent of the law. While we are disappointed that the rules are missing some key points of clarity around extreme heat, smoke, and other environmental threats, OEC and our partners plan to ramp up education and outreach to ensure workers understand their rights.
Summer Heat, OR OSHA’s Heat and Smoke Rules, and the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work
OEC is advocating for the strong rollout of Oregon’s new Right to Refuse Dangerous Work law which was signed by the Governor in May of 2023.
Climate Champion: Governor Brown’s Legacy and the Path Ahead
Governor Brown delivered historic climate policy protections. Now it’s up to Governor Kotek to build on this progress.