According to the non-profit investigative journalism group, InvestigateWest, there are a number of ways for Oregonians to reduce their impact on the environment. And importantly, these aren’t individual things – these are statewide changes.
So, here’s what Oregonians need to be concerned about this year in terms of climate activism
- Set the state 2030 carbon cap at 50% of 1990’s emissions. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has the power to do this and aims to cut 45% of emissions from 1990 levels by 2035.
- Require gas distributors to cut natural gas use by increasing the use of methane captured from rotting vegetation, animal waste, and landfills. This would cut 80% of the warming caused over the first 20 years after the methane’s release into the atmosphere.
- Make zero-fare transit the state standard just as Corvallis has already done.
- Ban new or expanded fossil fuel operations, including refineries and liquefied natural gas plants.
- Ban fossil fuel companies from making large political donations, keeping oil, gas, and coal money out of politics. (Pssst – click here and start scrolling. Each name is a fossil fuel company, and if you’re worried, you should be because there are more than 14,000 names on the list.)
Now, there are a lot of changes that need to be made in this field, and they simply can’t be all at the state level. Oregon is already leading the way in terms of ending single-family zoning in urban areas, public transit, and more.
Those interested in learning all of InvestigateWest’s recommendations for improvements to the Pacific Northwest can click here.
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