While politicians in the Pacific Northwest have painted themselves as leaders on climate policy, young people are still pushing for action on two key fronts: protecting old-growth forests and stopping dirty energy proposals (LNG).
Banner Held up at State-Level Election Rally on Nov. 3rd
From the incumbent Governor to hopeful state and city-level candidates, politicians across the state have made global warming and renewable energy rhetoric key aspects of speeches and town hall meetings this political season. Students and community members out of Eugene have followed Senate, State Treasurer, Secretary of State and Attorney General hope-fulls for the last month – - to make sure these future key leaders know exactly what fighting climate change means.
While Eugene is known as being one of the greenest cities in the country and Oregon is known as a beacon for environmentalists we are currently faced with dirty energy project proposals for liquefied natural gas (which would emit almost as much greenhouse gass as coal) and a deforestation plan that threatens to clearcut ancient carbon-sequestering old-growth forests.
Here in Eugene, youth from Rising Tide and Power Vote combined forces to bring these important issues to the forefront of candidates’ attention, educate them about the issues, ask tough questions at public events, and make personal face-to-face promises that we WE WILL NOT BE LETTING THE PRESSURE OFF ANYTIME SOON!
No WOPR at democratic rally.
“In terms of carbon per acre, carbon storage in Pacific NW forests is among the highest in the world, “ according to Mark Harmon, professor and Richardson Chair of Forest Science at Oregon State University,
Right now the Western Oregon Plan Revision (a deal between the Bureau of Land Management & the Bush Administration) threatens to increase logging by 436%, including 100,000 acres of old-growth, of which 70% would be clear-cut. Governor Kulongowski, who has projected himself as a leader in climate policy by pushing carbon trading, has until December to critique the Final Environmental Impact Statement and stop the plan from going through.
Young people let their opposition to the plan be known yesterday at a rally for democratic candidates up and down the ticket. Over two dozen students and community members held signs and banners, delivered a letter to the governor and educated attendees about the authority the politicians have to protect these important climate-stabilizing forests. Folks are also organizing for a large rally to pressure the governor on November 14th on the capital steps in Salem.
Yes Renewable Energy, No LNG
Just yesterday, candidate for State Treasurer, Ben Westlund, assured myself and a group of Power Voters, that he, “didn’t see LNG happening in Oregon”. I responded, “thank you considering you have the power to actually stop it, I look forward to seeing your no vote”.
Young people throughout Oregon have been doing amazing work to fight the dirty energy proposals for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The State Lands Board has authority to stop the detrimental new fossil fuel infrastructure projects which threaten to increase the regions greenhouse gas emission, increase our dependence on foreign fossil fuels from regions with human rights abuses, destroy local environmental habitats, and use eminant domain to turn over private property to energy corporations.
The State Lands Board is a two/three vote for leasing state lands, the votes are the Governor, the Secretary of State and the State Treasurer. Two of these position are up for re-elect today. Young people have been following these politicians around – reminding them that the people want, and will hold these officials to, a “No” vote for LNG.
Personally, I have spoken with State Treasurer candidate, Ben Westlund, over six times. At every event, whether he is giving a speech or a town hall meeting, I have asked tough questions in front of a crowd, reminded him what we want, and even offered to translate the confusing documents he has been receiving from the industry.
Coming UP
Young people here are working out plans to push these critical decisions forward. We know that just a politician saying “climate change and renewable energy” isn’t enough. Talking about a green energy economy does not minimize the greenhouse gasses that emitted by our region. Saying Oregon is a “green state” doesn’t stop the clear-cuts that all of ride by everyday. We are planning to lobby, rally, organize, campaign and act on the changes we want to see and the future we know we need. I have faith that we will do this work, because we already have been doing it.
Samantha has real conversations about minimizing climate change.
LNG is also having competition with expanded shale gas supplies. Shale gas may keep prices low enough to preclude LNG for a few years.
but keep in mind, shale gas is also poisoning water, land, air and ecosystems in the northeast!
http://www.damascuscitizens.org
Even the PV cells require chemical processing and management of the chemical wastes. There is no free lunch in the energy arena. We will need to make choices and they will be difficult.