15 results for tag: portland

5 Surprising Things I Learned from Bike Commuting

By Simon Tam Though I grew up after Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s main era, the Boss nevertheless resonated with my generation: freedom was tied with the roaring engine of an American car. For most of my life, that was my belief–at the age of sixteen, I promptly received my driver’s license and started driving to and from school (I could have walked). Throughout most of my career I depended on my car. I believed that my car was the most versatile, comfortable, and convenient option for every situation, even though I was victim to ever-increasing gas prices, parking fees (and parking tickets), and traffic jams. Was Thunder Road ...

When The Biggest Polluters Lead on Climate, Others Will Follow

"What about China?" is a common refrain when Oregonians talk about tackling climate change. "If not them, why us?" It's time for the question to change. The United States and China–the world’s top two emitters of climate pollution–are taking the reigns on a unique opportunity to lead on climate. Last November, the US and China made a joint announcement on climate change targets. This set the stage for President Obama to submit US targets in international climate negotiations. The President outlined how the US plans to cut climate pollution to 26-28% below its 2005 levels by 2025 by freezing construction of new coal-fired power plants, ...

8 ways the beer you drink can help the environment

Earlier this year, our Emerging Leaders Board provided a unique opportunity for citizens of Beervana to raise their carbon-consciousness: Migration Brewing, in collaboration with Portland State University, launched Little Foot Red Ale, “a medium bodied red ale with citrus aromatics and a spicy, dry finish." With this rosy brew, Migration Brewing sought to take something we all love - the Oregon microbrew - and tweak its production and distribution to reduce carbon footprint and improve environmental performance. Migration Brewing isn't alone in their dedication to climate health. A growing number of American breweries have joined the fight ...

Portland Addresses Climate Change through Action Plan

With the release of a new 2015 Climate Action Plan, the City of Portland and Multnomah County are giving us a chance to think globally, but act locally. And they want your input on it. The draft plan provides a roadmap for our community to achieve an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of a 40 percent reduction by 2030. We know it’s possible; through enacting recommendations in their previous action plans we’ve cut carbon emissions by 14 percent since 1990, even though our population has grown by 30 percent. And, we’ve added over 75,000 more jobs during that same time. In per-person terms, that means each ...

2014 is go-time for climate

Have you heard? News reporters got a glimpse of a leaked draft of the latest international consensus report on climate change.  It's the last word summarizing the three giant, detailed reports by the International Panel on Climate Change, a Nobel prize-winning experts. Here's the upshot: We changed the climate.  It's bad. We can still ward off catastrophe. We have to act now, and we have to act big.  As the People's Climate March organizers say, "To change everything, we need everyone." Here's what you can do: Join the People's Climate March Be a part of history On September 21, New York City will host the largest climate ...