This week the Renew Oregon Action Fund began a new chapter in Oregon’s clean energy transition, filing ballot measures to allow Oregon to become the first state in the nation to go coal free by public vote. The measures also double the amount of Oregon’s electricity produced from clean, renewable resources like wind and solar.
In the early days of climate action, urban plans to reduce carbon frequently suffered from the laundry list syndrome: cataloguing potential strategies without any evidence of how they would meet long-term goals. Since then, cities and counties have become more sophisticated about cutting carbon, and are developing clean energy transition plans to do it.
Wind is cheapest power source in Germany and UK even without subsidy, analysts weigh in on ‘grid neutrality,’ major Italian utility pledges to be carbon-free by 2050, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions.
Leading urban governments have set aggressive goals such as carbon neutrality and 80% reduction by 2050, and others have committed to sourcing 100% of their energy with renewables. These are not empty pledges, but achievable goals that local officials are already implementing.
Broad coalitions for climate action took bold steps this week in Oregon and Washington, announcing plans to put climate and clean energy measures on the 2016 ballot.
India pledges 40% renewable power by 2030, GOP voters are ahead of candidates on climate, CEO says divestment is scaring investors away from Canadian energy sector, and more news of the week in clean energy solutions.
#PeoplesClimate actions are taking place across the country on Oct 14! In Seattle, join author Naomi Klein and a diverse coalition of local leaders bringing hope and action to the fight against climate change.
Shell Oil's Arctic failure is only the latest indication that expensive bets on long-term fossil fuel development make no sense of any kind. Our transition to a better energy source will take a while—but it's absolutely underway.
In December 2015, international leaders will gather in Paris for what are arguably the most important global climate talks ever. Countries are updating their carbon reduction pledges, which currently fall far short of what is necessary to hold global warming at two degrees Celsius. This represents an ambition gap among national negotiators that the bold climate leadership of city officials around the world can help close.
The Renew Oregon coalition is bringing Oregon businesses together with other voices for climate action. The list of companies backing the Oregon Business Climate Declaration continues to grow, as Portland's Mayor issues a climate challenge to local businesses.
