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.

 

Top 5 environmental victories of 2007

What were the top 5 environmental victories of 2007?

1.) Measure 49

OLCV E-bulletin subscriber, Stan Seleen, said it best, "The passage of Measure 49 must be the most important success in 2007.  It is a tremendous relief to know that Oregonians have once again shown their support for our land use planning."

2.) Passage of SB 838, the renewable Energy Standard

The 2007 Legislature passed legislation setting a new renewable energy standard that is among the best in the country.

3.) Passage of all five Oregon Conservation Network's (OCN) Priorities for a Healthy Oregon

You can find out what these priorities are and what they mean for you at OCN's website

4.) More positive pro-environment bills became law in 2007 than in the period from 1991-2005 combined

The record number of environmental bills passed through the Legislature can be attributed to strong leadership fueled by the urgent need to take responsibility to combat global warming, promote energy independence, and a strong wish to protect our children from toxic pollution in our air and water.

The passage of legislation requiring municipal water quality enforcement in Oregon, a major breakthrough in an area where we have had few major victories since the heyday of the 70s, is just one example of such legislation. Thanks to OLCV E-bulletin reader, Chuck Johnson, for this contribution.

5.) The average scores in both the House and Senate climbed to heights not seen since 1977.  The average Senate score was 73% and the House was 69%.

Voters have made the environment a priority and they are choosing to vote for people that understand this.  Expect to see even more environmental leaders elected locally and statewide in 2008.

You can find out how your elected officials voted on the environment in OLCV's Environmental Scorecard for the 2007 Legislature.

What were your top five?

Thank you for choosing responsibly

From special guest author Yoly Howell, Portland resident.

Several proposed housing developments would have devastated Sauvie Island, a small island shared between Multnomah and Columbia Counties, surrounded by the Multnomah Channel and Columbia River. The spirit of the island harbors a wildlife refuge, farms, dog kennels, herbariums, a locally famous maze, and a lovely long stretch of clothing optional beach. Although protected in part by the SECs, this did not stop housing developers from coveting stretches of beach and fields of pumpkins with visions of people crowded like wads of money onto the island. This irresponsible “progress” would have been underscored with hours of construction for new roads and bridge modifications required. The life of the island would have been destroyed.

More and more people are discovering that there is much to be cherished on Sauvie Island as our cities continue to grow and our sense of distance shrinks. Every summer, Kruger’s market is packed like a bushel basket with shoppers seeking to enrich their lives by getting closer to the soil that grows our food. Fresh produce lures them, but it's the flavor of the air that makes them walk a little slower as they pick their way between friendly customers, flowers and fruit baskets.   Pick your own is a common theme on the island and provides city and country folk alike the opportunity to choose what goes on their tables and in their bodies.

Bella Organics is an innovative farm that provides an organic alternative to those seeking an unadulterated eating experience. In addition to marketing an array of vegetables at the island’s organic vegetable stand, this farm provides initial soil treatment and gardening plots people can rent to grow their own. Mike H. of Bella says, “Organics is the way of the future—as people learn how easy, safe and healthy it is to farm in the old way.” I personally can tout that their garlic is some of the best I’ve ever used! You can browse their website: http://bellaorganicfarm.com/

But Sauvie Island is more than friendly farms. In secret corners or open air wildlife can be taken in throughout the year. But it's in the fall that the Tundra Swans clumsily land on the channel backwaters to winter. They are sometimes joined by resident egrets and blue herons who share their air space with the multitudinous ribbons of geese who also swoop in to winter. Eagles, red-tailed hawks and other assorted and colorful birds have spread the word that the island is safe. They can nest undisturbed and soar pretty much unimpeded in the wildlife reserve - occassionally visited by deer or two.

Thank you to all who helped Measure 49 pass and thank you for saving Sauvie Island for everyone!

Have you seen the green peacock?

If you watch any shows on NBC this week, you're bound to see the green peacock.

What does it all mean you ask?
Well, NBC has decided to go green - at least for a week. 

From their website:

NBC Universal's new "Green is Universal" campaign kicks off Nov. 4th with a week of green-themed programming aimed at entertaining, informing and empowering Americans to lead greener lives.

Very interesting.

They say TV reflects reality - though at times it may be slightly exaggerated. I am glad to see that being  concerned about the environment has finally mainstream.

An environmental policy even a Bush could love

As I mentioned in a post earlier this week, if NYC city council members have their way grocery stores will soon be required to take back and recycle the hundreds of plastic bags they so liberally bag groceries in on a daily basis.

This would be a pretty incredible feat.
During my six years in NYC, I spent countless times telling store clerks, "I don't need a bag... NO, I don't need a bag..." 

My requests were never really heard. Clerks would continue to bag anything I purchased, from a can of Diet Coke to a can of cat food. It was as if the request to carry something using my own two hands just didn't make sense.

More often then not, to my dismay, I inevitably would have to remove my purchased item from the bag, leave the bag on the counter and one last time explain, "I don't need a bag" - with the cashier looking dazed and confused as I walked away.

Living in Portland has brought me some relief. I am delighted when I check out my item or items and the cashier asks, "Do you need a bag?"

I smile and reply, "No I don't. I brought my own."
As did several people behind me...

Encouraging people to BYOB (Bring your own bag) just makes sense. So much sense that it is garnering the unlikely support of a Bush family member.

Lauren Bush, President Bush's niece famous for her good looks and modeling career, is supporting  the City Council's call for plastic bag recycling.  At a news conference in NYC, she promoted the FEED Bag, a reusable cloth bag that costs $60 and enables the food program to feed a child for one full school year.

You can read the entire article in the NY Times here.

But you don't need $60 to get a reusable bag of your own. You can find them at Fred Meyer, who recently launched a campaign to promote using reusable bags, Whole Foods, New Seasons and many other stores.

Show your support for the environment and BYOB.

Politicians want stores to recycle plastic bags

In NEW YORK CITY.

According to an article in the New York Daily News, the NYC City Council is working to pass a bill that would require supermarkets to recycle the plastic bags they provide to their customers.

Their goal?
Reducing the amount of plastic bags that end up in the trash.

The new law would require each bag to be labeled: "Please return this bag to a participating store for recycling."

"It's not a ban. It's a bill that's tailored, we believe, to address the specific needs of New York City and what we think would work best," City Council spokesman Anthony Hogrebe said.

Read the entire article here.

New York is looking greener by the minute.  They have already moved ahead with hybrid taxis and buses and strong recycling program.

What should Portland do?

Stores could charge a bag fee, offer discounts to those that BYOB (bring your own bag), recycle their own plastic bags.

What do you think? Share your ideas below.