29 results for tag: environmental justice
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 ...
Black History Month: a call for community-led solutions
Black History Month is both a time to celebrate and an opportunity to raise our voices for change. From environmental advocacy within the Muslim community to immeasurable contributions in the arts, there are a myriad of ways that Black leaders make our state a better place for us all. And yet, Black communities continue to bear the brunt of our increasingly pressing environmental challenges.
The time is now to raise our voices for equitable solutions and fight for racial justice in every corner of Oregon.
It’s personal
Dr. Robert Bullard, considered the “father of the environmental justice movement”, started collecting data in the ...
Celebrating Latinx Leadership for Environmental Justice
For Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate and recognize the many ways Latinx-led and Latinx-serving organizations advance critical environmental work on everything from transportation and housing, to farmworker protection, water justice and climate resilience throughout Oregon.
Water Justice, a Shared Vision for the Future
For World Water Day 2023, we affirm our commitment to water justice and elevate the Oregon Water Justice Framework, recently released by the Oregon Water Futures Project, a collaboration between water and environmental justice interests, Indigenous peoples, communities of color, low-income communities, and academic institutions. Oregon Environmental Council is proud to be a member of the Oregon Water Futures Project.
Clean water is foundational to every aspect of our lives. Yet in Oregon, far too many people struggle every day to have their water needs met. We must continue to work to promote improved water quality, protect natural resources, and ...
Honoring Black Environmental Leadership
OEC is proud to work alongside Black-led organizations who ensure environmental, racial, transportation and social justice for communities throughout Oregon.
Climate Protection Win for Oregon Workers
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 a lawsuit brought by Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce, Associated Oregon Loggers Inc., and the Oregon Forest Industries Council. The suit was intended to roll back a set of rules that Oregon OSHA put in place in June 2022 - at the urging of OEC and partners – to provide Oregon workers with ...
Prioritizing Children’s Health in Kid’s Products
Toxic chemicals that harm health should not be in our kids' products. But they are.
Thousands of chemicals lurk in products our kids use every day and children are far more vulnerable to toxics than adults due to their smaller size and developing organs. Even worse, the most recent studies show that new chemical compounds are produced at a rate of 10 million per year, which translates to nearly 1,000 new chemicals synthesized every hour. In 2015, OEC led the advocacy work to pass the historic Toxic Free Kids Act (TFKA), requiring manufacturers of children’s products to disclose — and eventually phase out — the worst chemicals of concern for ...
The Inflation Reduction Act for Oregon
Only a few months ago, things were not looking good for federal climate action. The Supreme Court had just voted to strike down the Clean Power Plan. Senator Manchin of West Virginia had just announced he would not support a reconciliation package with new spending on climate change. And, after decades of denial, delay, and failed attempts, everyone’s hope was wearing thin.
Then, seemingly out of thin air, Senate Democrats announced they had struck a deal on a new package that would inject an unprecedented $370 billion in climate and clean energy programs nationwide. Weeks later, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into ...
CLIMATE VICTORY! Oregon Climate Protection Program sets the path for a healthy climate future
Oregon just took one of its biggest steps ever toward reducing climate pollution and delivering a stable climate for the future.
Oregon just took one of its biggest steps ever toward reducing climate pollution and delivering a stable climate for the future. The Climate Protection Plan adopted by the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) today mandates a 50% reduction in the pollution from burning oil and fossil “natural” gas that is a primary cause of climate change.
The decision came after a robust year-and-a-half long rulemaking process, extensive advocacy from OEC and our partners in the Oregon Climate Action Plan (OCAP) Coalit...