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Portland’s climate action plan for 2009
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Portland, Oregon
Many people don’t know that Portland has been a national leader in reducing carbon emissions since 1989. Results have been very good; in 2007 Portland’s local carbon emissions were 1% below 1990 levels, even with a growing population. The rest of the country averaged a 17% increase from 1990 levels. The goals of the plan are to reduce carbon emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. This will require a coordinated effort from not just government, but all businesses and citizens of Portland. The benefits will be cleaner air, creation of local jobs (green-collar jobs), less reliance on foreign oil, reduced traffic and saving money on energy. The main focus of total carbon reduction will be on car mileage per day, electricity and natural gas. What can you do to help? Just take a look at the Climate Action Plan 2009 website, it has great suggestions on what the citizens, businesses and the government of Portland can and need to do.
Portland’s Climate Action Plan Vision
“Each resident lives in a walk-able and bike-able neighborhood that includes retail businesses, schools, parks and jobs.
Green-collar jobs are a key component of the thriving regional economy, with products and services related to clean energy, green building, sustainable food and waste reuse and recovery providing living wage jobs throughout the community.
Homes, offices and other buildings are durable and highly efficient, healthy, comfortable and powered primarily by solar, wind and other renewable resources.
Urban forest, green roofs and swales help cover the community, reducing the urban heat island effect, sequestering carbon, providing wildlife habitat and cleaning the air and water.
Food and agriculture are central to the economic and cultural vitality of the community, with productive backyard and community gardens and thriving farmers markets. A large share of food comes from farms in the region, and residents eat healthily, consuming more locally grown grains, vegetables and fruits.” (Source: City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability)
Portland is moving toward our goal by increasing bike lanes, HOV lanes, bus lanes and routes, raising parking costs, growing the rail systems (Metro and TriMet), using tax incentives for reduced energy use, utilizing urban growth boundaries, recycling and composting, planting trees, encouraging locally grown food systems, and outreach to the community. This type of proactive portfolio approach to carbon reduction can be a model for any city.
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