OLCV Talk

Countdown to 2009

Countdown to the 2009 Legislative Session that is...

The first day of session is January 12 and we can't wait to get to work.

We'll be working on critical environmental legislation as a member of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), a coalition of fifty of Oregon’s leading environmental groups. 

Implement Global Warming Solutions We must take action to reduce global warming pollution, which if left unchecked will lead to increased forest fires, water shortages, and major disruptions to our economy. The Legislature should place a mandatory, declining cap on global warming pollution.

Promote Water Conservation Farmers, fishermen, cities, businesses and local communities all need adequate water supplies to thrive. It’s our responsibility to ensure a legacy of healthy rivers for everyone and everything that depends on them

Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy Global warming, pollution, increasing population, and coastal development are taking a toll – and our ocean’s future health is at risk. The Legislature should create a system of marine protected areas and reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea.

Increase Transportation Options As the Oregon Legislature considers new transportation investments, we must make sure to use more efficient land use planning and invest in transportation options. This will reduce the amount of time Oregonians spend in traffic, improve our health, and reduce the amount we spend on gas.

Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible Liquefied natural gas (LNG) emits 20-30% more global warming pollution than domestic natural gas. LNG terminals planned for Oregon would mainly send gas to California, which has rejected LNG because of safety and environmental concerns.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species Oregon must take action to stop the spread of invasive plant, animal, and aquatic species. The Legislature should require boats entering the state be cleaned, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon’s waterways.

Learn more about our Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.

To stay up to date on our priorities and other environmental bills during the session, sign up for SalemWatch, our legislative e-newsletter.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions? Meet Green Buildings, Green Roofs

As Oregon leaders including the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming look for global warming solutions, one of the places they're looking is green building. Buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, as the energy used to power, heat, and cool them needs to come from somewhere.

Two recent articles talk about green buildings, this one in the Portland Tribune about Portland's Grey to Green eco-roof grants, and this overview article from The Economist's technology quarterly, which focuses especially on window technology and LED lighting.

More about green building.

10 good reasons not to charge shoppers a fee for disposable grocery bags (paper or plastic)

During my morning news review I stumbled upon a post on PDX Green laying out 10 good reasons not to impose a fee on shoppers for disposable shopping bags.

Thanks for the great work Shelby!

Read the list here.

The Great Elk-horn debate continues!

There will be a Marion County Board of Commissioners hearing on the Elkhorn project at 6 PM, Wednesday, June 18 in the first floor hearing room at the county office bldg, 555 Court Street N.E., in Salem (same location as the previous hearings).

At the hearing next Wednesday, testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person, but you can submit unlimited written testimony. 

What is up for debate?

Whether or not protecting a beautiful rural canyon from urban development is more important than the "goal exceptions" the developers want them to adopt. 

Learn how you can save the Elkhorn at OLCV's website.

More joy, less consumption.

Alison Wiley created and writes for the blog The Diamond-Cut Life in order to create awareness about the need to reduce "our consumption down to the core of happiness."

Alison's message? More joy, less consumption. That's definitely a message that OLCV agrees with.

Alison recently hosted a table and joined a record crowd of 870 guests, including 82 elected officials and candidates, joined OLCV Staff and Board members at OLCV's 11th Annual Dinner (AKA Eco Prom) last Friday night.

Rep. Ben Cannon stellar MC, OLCV Executive Director Jonathan Poisner got everyone on their feet at the start with a stirring speech, and keynote speaker Christine Ervin deliver thought-provoking address on the green building movement. And of course, lots of hobnobbing and campaigning  during the preceding reception and dinner.
 
Another program highlight: Debra Higbee received OLCV's 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award - congrats, Debra!

 

OLCV enthusiastically thanks everyone who helped make this dinner a success - table sponsors, volunteers, wine donors, who attended. We are already looking forward to an even better event next year, and hope you are too!
 

Check out photos of this year's event on OLCV's website.
 

Find out why Alison Wiley hosts a table of ten each year at OLCV's EcoProm and check out her great photos of some of Portland's finest movers & shakers over on her blog, The Diamond-Cut Life.

Meet Nick Kahl (Candidate for House District 49 endorsed by OLCV)

"Nick Kahl has energy, lifetime roots in the district and a plethora of sensible ideas for leveraging jobs and capital projects for his constituents. We think the Legislature needs him."

- The Oregonian, 4/18/08

I was born and raised in East County. I have seen the best of what the area has to offer but have also seen the challenges that come with change. One of those challenges is finding the balance between a strong economy and keeping the same great quality of life in East County that we all love. The growth we are seeing in East County also raises environmental concerns and that is why I voted yes on Measure 49.

Measure 49 is smart policy that protects the Oregon we know and love. It will ensure that future generations will get to take advantage of the unique beauty for which the state is known. To help pass Measure 49 I went door to door talking with voters and worked to make sure we protect our clean air and water.

The other side of all of the growth we are witnessing is a need for good family wage jobs. East County is perfectly situated to take advantage of the growing demand for green jobs. Whether it is manufacturing solar panels or designing new technologies, we have a ready and willing work force. East County and Oregon need leaders who are poised to take advantage of this growing need; this is why I am the right candidate for District 49.

I have experience finding the balance a strong economy and a healthy environment. As a Staff Assistant in Commissioner Jeff Cogen's office, I created a cellular phone recycling plan. I was able to institute a program that is reducing landfill waste, and helping a local small business. Oregon needs creative leaders who are willing to think outside the box to find sustainable solutions. I will use my experience and knowledge to craft smart policy that brings good family wage jobs and green industry to District 49.

I care deeply about the future of East County and the state of Oregon. I know that we must build sustainable relationships between business and the environment in order to put Oregon at the front of the green collar revolution. Economic growth that is environmentally smart is good for our schools, our neighborhoods and our community. I will work tirelessly to make these goals a reality.

To find out more, join the conversation at www.nickkahl.com.

More Crowded than an Obama Rally

Yesterday I joined approximately 23,300 Oregonians for the opening day of Hopworks Urban Brewery. The reason for the standing-room-only crowd and the 45 minute wait for a table at 4:30pm? The intersection of three of Portland's passions: beer, bikes, and sustainability.

Christian Ettinger is a renowned brewer, winning award after award for his work at Laurelwood Brewery. He and his father recently decided to open their own brew pub, and Hopworks was born. Yes, for years I've been among those people who've dreamed of intersecting bikes and beer -- but the prize goes to the doers, not the dreamers. And they've pulled off a winner here.

John Foyston of The Oregonian had a good summary of the place, including its organic food and use of bike parts for decoration. Me, I had a Survival "Seven-Grain" Stout, and a wish for more bike parking.

Finally, direct from Hopworks' website, a list of ways they're trying to be green beyond their building:

• Organic Made from scratch Roma Tomato Sauce

• Use of Shepphards Grain "Food Alliance Certified" flour for our pizza dough & other bread items (pretzels, foccacia bread)

• Organic Milk

• Organic field greens, romaine & various seasonal vegetables

• Dressings made from scratch, less packaging

• 100 % post consumer waste

• 100% recycled dinner napkins

• Waste recycling programs that strive for zero waste

• Recycling food waste for animal feed & composting.

• Organic coffee from Stumptown "Holler Mtn"

• All to go material 100% post consumer 100% recycled material.

• Compostable plastic to go cups (corn based)

Thanks to Christian and the Hopworks crew for going beyond the basics to be good to the planet!

Side note: OLCV doesn't have a position on the Presidential primary candidates.

The Story of Stuff

I just watched a really interesting video that does an amazing job of telling the "Story of Stuff."

It's a really simple, yet comprehensive overview of the perils of consumer society when it comes to our environment, health, and happiness.  And it ends with an uplifting call for change.

More on the creation of the movie here.

 

Oregon, even Washington is doing it

What are we waiting for?

Deep sigh... Portland missed out on another first - Again.

San Fransisco was the first to ban them.

Now NYC is one of the first to require stores to recycle them.

Back in April we reported that the San Francisco City Council voted to ban petroleum-based plastic bags from large supermarkets.  After Mayor Newsom signed the ban, San Francisco became the first American City with such a ban.  Plastic bags were replaced with paper and corn-based plastic bags that can be recycled through San Francisco's city-wide curbside compost program.

I'd like to take a moment to remind you that similar bans already exist in South Africa, Taiwan, and Bangladesh. 

The New York Times reports that the NYC Council overwhelmingly passed a sweeping measure today that would require stores to collect, transport and recycle the plastic bags they issue to customers. This puts New York City at the forefront of a growing movement to curb plastic bag use.

Read the article here.

I appreciate that many local stores have taken the first steps to make plastic bags obsolete. Promotions for reusable bags abound. But this is not enough. Plastic bags can still be waving in trees or sailing in the air on a windy day (a performance I see frequently through my office window).

Our original post asked if the Portland City Council will one day take on this issue, after all it doesn't seem unreasonable with our current city council.

The waters have been tested. The public will is there. We just need our leaders to act.